Life and letters of John Winthrop

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LIFE AND LETTERS

OF

JOHN WINTHROP,

GOVERNOR OF THE MA8SACIIUSETTS-BAY COMPANY
AT THEIR EMIGRATION TO NEW ENGLAND,

163 0.

BT

ROBERT C. WINTHROP

BOSTON:

TICK NOR AND FIELDS.

1864.

/.

110 . (r. <2J.!f

Entered according to Act of Congrcm, in the year 13fi3, by

ROBKRT C. WTKTrlHOP,

In the Clerk' 8 Office of the District Court of the District of MamchumttM.

BOSTON

BTKMWVTTFID BT JOHH WIL80K AXD «OX,

No. 0, Water RtrMC

UnWmmlty Press, Cambridge :
Printed by Welch, Blgelow, and Company.

LIFE AND LETTERS

JOHN WIN THRO P.

1588 — 1630.

PREFATORY NOTE.

There is nothing in this volume which calls for any other
preface than that which is supplied in the Introductory Chap-
ter ; but I am unwilling that it should go forth without a word
of grateful acknowledgment to my valued friends, the Rev.
Chandler Bobbins, D. D., and Charles Deane, Esq.,
A.M., for the aid they have given me in preparing it for the
press.

I have also been indebted to Charles Francis Winthrop,
Esq., of New York, to H. G. Somerby, Esq., and to W.
H. Wiiitmore, Esq., for papers and references; and to Dr.
Jonx Appleton, the Assistant Librarian of the Massachusetts
Historical Society, for the preparation of the autographs and
seals in the Appendix.

Nor coidd I pardon myself for omitting the name of the late
Francis B. Winthrop, of New London, from whom many
of the most interesting materials of the volume were procured ;
and who has since fallen a victim to disease contracted while
he was serving as a volunteer in the army of the American
Union.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Paob

Portrait of Governor Winthrop Frontispiece.

Groton Church, with the Winthrop Tomb 4

Portrait of Adam Winthrop, the Grandfather of the

Governor 20

Autographs and Seals 441

TO TBB

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

WHO HAVE HONORED ME WITH THEIR PRESIDENCY FOR EIGHT YEARS PAST,

CJjia Itolttnu

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Page
Introductory. Groton in Suffolk County, England. The Church,

with the Inscription on the Winthrop Tomb. Circumstances

under which this Volume was undertaken and completed. . 1

CHAPTER II.

Early History of the Winthrop Family. Cotton Mather's Ac-
count of it The first Adam Winthrop. The second Adam
Winthrop, 1498. His Marriages, Children, and Personal
Career. Master of the Cloth- workers' Company, 1551.
Grant of Groton Manor to liim. Certificate of Arms.
Errors of an old Pedigree 10

CHAPTER m.

Adam Winthrop, the third. His Birth and Personal Career. His
Poetry, Diary, and Almanacs. Auditor of Trinity College,
Cambridge, and of St John's. His Copy of the Perambula-
tion of Kent. His Commonplace Book. Correspondence
between him and the Lady Mildmay. His Family. Letter
from his Wife. . . : 25

CHAPTER IV.

John Winthrop, the Subject of this Volume. His Birth and Early
Years. His Education. A Student at Trinity College, Cam-
bridge. His Marriage, Children, and the Death of his Wife.
- His Christian Experiences. 52

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.

Paoi
Second Marriage. The Clopton Family. Death of his second

Wife. His Description of the Event and its Incidents. His

Account of her Character *" . . . 75

CHAPTER VI.
Religious Experiences and Confessions 90

CHAPTER VH.

Third Marriage. The Murder of Sir John Tyndal, and Lord
Bacon's Account of it. Letter of Arthur Tyndal. Letters
of Adam Winthrop and John Winthrop to Margaret Tyndal.
Her Character. Letters of Rev. Ezekiel Culverwell, Deane
Tyndal, and the Lady Mildmay. Religious Experiences.
Birth of Children. Will. Lord of the Manor 123

CHAPTER VHI.

Letters to his Wife, 1620-22. Letter to his Brother-in-law,

Thomas Fones. Letter of Rev. Henry Sands 157

CHAPTER IX.

Letters to his eldest Son at Trinity College, Dublin, 1622-1624.

The Death of his Father. Lettera^of his Son Forth. ... 170

CHAPTER X.

Correspondence with his Wife, 1623-25. Letter to . . . 192

CHAPTER XI.

Letters to his eldest Son about his Choice of a Profession and
Plans of Life, 1 624-26. His own Professional Career. At-
torney of the Court of Wards and Liveries. Letters of John
Winthrop, Jr., John Bowen, and Brampton Gurdon. Papers
connected with his Professional Practice, and with Parlia-
mentary Proceedings. His Service as a Magistrate. Letter
of his Mother 203

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER XIL

Pawk
Correspondence with his Wife, 1626-7. Forth Winthrop's Let-
ters to his Father from Cambridge University. Hobson the
Carrier 225

CHAPTER XTII.

His eldest Son's Naval Adventures. The Duke of Buckingham's
Expedition. Letters of Joshua Downing and Rear- Admiral
Lord Hervey. Instructions for one of the Ships. Winthrop's
Letter of Counsel to his Son. His Son's Letter from the
Scene of War. Letters of his Wife. His Son proposes to go
to New England with Endicott. Correspondence with his
Son and Wife 236

CHAPTER XIV.

His eldest Son's Oriental Tour, 1628-9, with his Letters along
the Route. Letters of Winthrop, John Freeman, and Judah
Throckmorton. His Son's Return, August, 1629 263

CHAPTER XV.

Winthrop's serious Illness, 1628. Correspondence with his Wife.
Religious Experiences. Letters to his Son Henry and his
Sister Fones. Death of his Mother and of his Brother-in-law.
Marriage of his Son Henry. Loss of his Office. Correspond-
ence with his Wife. Looks towards New England. . . . 279

CHAPTER XVI.

Winthrop decides for New England. His eldest Son's Letter ap-
proving the Decision. The Considerations and Conclusions.
The Letters of Robert Ryece, the Suffolk Antiquary. ... 305

CHAPTER XVII.

Correspondence with Ids Wife and Son, 1629. Winthrop chosen
Governor of the Massachusetts Company. The Circum-
stances and Character of that Election. The Agreement at
Cambridge. Contemporaneous Testimony to the Importance
attached to Winthrop's taking the Lead of the New-England
Enterprise 333

Xll CONTENTS,

i

CHAPTER XVm.

Pag*
Preparations for New England. Letters to invite Co-operation.

Correspondence with his Wife. Letters of Priscilla Fones,
Forth Winthrop, and John Winthrop, Jr. More Correspond-
ence with his Wife 353

CHAPTER XTX.

Winthrop's last Visit to Groton. His Return to London on his
Way to Southampton. Farewell Letters to his Wife, to his
eldest Son, and to Sir William Spring. His Embarkation for
New England with the Massachusetts-Bay Company. Con-
cluding Views of Winthrop's Course and Character. . . . 877

Appendix :

I. — Memoranda from the Diary of Adam Winthrop . . . 405
II. — Memoranda from the Almanacs of Adam Winthrop . 433

Autographs and Seals 441

Index 443

LIFE AND LETTERS

OF

JOHN WINTHROP,

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

During a brief visit to England in the summer of 1847,
I ran down to Groton, in the county of Suffolk, to see
the old home of my ancestors. It is one of a cluster of
little rural villages, five in number, — Boxford, Groton,
Edwardston, Great Waldingfield, and Little Walding-
field, 1 — which lie midway between the larger towns of
Hadleigh and Sudbury, in the south-west corner of that
thriving agricultural county. The landscape around them
has no peculiar features either of beauty or of grandeur ;
but clothed, as it was, in the matchless verdure of an
English summer, it presented a picture of quiet love-
liness which one would not willingly have lost. They
are all included in the old Hundred of Babergh; and
most of them have been associated in other ages with
some famous person, or some celebrated family, or
some memorable event, which has saved them from

1 Aasington and Polstead might, perhaps, have been fairly included in the same
group.

1

LIFE AND LETTEBS

being wholly, unnoticed in the local histories of Eng-
land. Thus we are told by Camden, in his " Britannia,"
that Edwardston was " formerly inhabited by the honor-
able lords Montchensy, of whom Warin married the
daughter and heiress of that most potent William Mar-
shall, Earl of Pembroke, who, by marrying William de
Valence, of the family of Lusignan, in France, brought
the title of Pembroke into the family. This Warin de
Montchensy," continues Camden, " was a man of eminent
rank and fortune, being accounted the Crassus of England
at that time ; leaving by will upwards of two hundred thou-
sand marks." * Great Waldingfield, too, we learn, was
once the lordship of James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire,
and afterwards of the Earls of Essex ; while, at Boxford,
Queen Elizabeth secured a precious memorial of her-
self by founding a free grammar-school. Little Wald-
ingfield and Groton appear to* have been the least
known, or certainly the least noted, of them all ; and
even the name of the latter would seem to have disap-
peared, of late years, from more than one of the Suffolk-
County maps, as if the place had lost any importance
which it ever possessed, and had become too inconsider-
able to be the subject of particular designation. Mean-
time, it is pleasant to remember that at least two Gro-
tons have grown up in New England, — deriving their
name directly from the Groton of Old England, — which
have already established no doubtful claim to an honor-
able mention by our American Camdens, and which

1 Gough's Camden, vol. ii. p. 74. The British Crassus or Crossu*, — whichever Cam-
den intended to call him, — who gave each celebrity to Edwardston, died in 1266.

OF JOHN WUNTHKOP. 3

will serve to keep the name fresh and fragrant on this
side of the Atlantic for many generations to come. 1

But the Groton of Suffolk County, in Old England,
has by no means yet lost its local habitation or its
ancient landmarks. I was there on a Sunday, and went
to the parish church in which the Winthrops worshipped
before they came to America. The grand old service
of prayer and praise, in which they had united so long
ago within the same sanctuary, had just commenced
when I entered ; and I could almost imagine, as I joined
in the responses, that the venerable walls gave back an
echo of welcome, as to a not unrecognized voice. Every
thing concurred in awakening the memory of those
who had gone before me, — the pulpit from which they
had listened to preachers of their own presentation, the
font at which so many of them had been baptized,
the chancel around which they had knelt to receive the
bread of life. There, on the crowning pane of the altar
window, was the same Sursum Cor da 8 which must have
lifted their hearts in many an hour of trial and trouble.
There, in the humble vestry, was the old parish regis-
ter, the second entry on whose time-stained leaves gave
the date of the death of the head of the family in 1562.
There, too, was the tomb in which the father, the jjrand-
father, and possibly the great-grandfather, of the first
emigrant to New England had been successively buried.
It still bore the family name and arms ; and, by a strik-

1 Groton in Connecticut, the scene of the heroic Ledyard's death on the 6th of
September, 1781 ; and Groton in Massachusetts, within whose original limits were the
birthplaces of the Prescotts and Lawrences.

* The " Lift np your Hearts " of the Liturgy. Taken from the old Communion
Service, as described by St Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, A.D. 325.

4 LIFE AND LETTERS

ing coincidence, it had just been repaired, — almost as if
in anticipation of the arrival of one who might be pre-
sumed to take a peculiar interest in its condition. It
was outside the church, but close against the walls, just
beneath the window which opened from the rector's
pew, in which I sat during the service. The inscription
was almost illegible; but enough could be deciphered
to verify an ancient copy, which gives it as follows : —

"CCELUM PATRIA: CHRISTUS VIA.

HIC . JACET . CORPUS . ADAMI . WINTHROP . AR . FILII

ADAMI . WINTHROP . ARMIGERI . QUI . HUJUS . ECCLESLE

PATRONI . FUERUNT . ET . DOMINI . MANERH . DE . GROTON

PRuEDICTUS . ADAMUS . FILIU8 . UXOREM . DUXIT . ANNAM

FILIAM . HENRICI . BROWNE . DE . EDWARDU8TON . PER

QUAM . HABUTT . UNTJM . FDLIUM . ET . QUATUOR . FIUAS

HANC . VITAM . TRANSMIGRAVIT . ANNO . DOMINI . 1623

<£TATIS . 8VM . 75 . ANNA . VERO . UXOR . EJUS . OBIIT

1628 . HIC . QUOQUE . CONSEPULTA . EST.

BEATI . SUNT . PACIFIC! . NAM . U . DEI . FILEt

VOCABUNTUR."

The family records furnish the following translation : —

" HEAVEN THE COUNTRY: CHRIST THE WAY.

Here lies the body of Adam Winthrop, Esq.,

son of Adam Winthrop, Esq.,

who were Patrons of this Church,

and Lords of the Manor of Groton.

The above-named Adam, the son, married Anna, the daughter of Henry
Browne of Edwardston, by whom he had one son and four daughters. He
departed* this life in the year of our Lord 1623, and of his own age 75. But
Anna, his wife, died 1628. x She also is buried here with him.

Blessed are the peacemakers ; for they shall be called the
sons of God. 19

After the service was ended, I was directed to the site
of the old family mansion. Not one stone was left upon

1 It should have been 1629, as shown by the Parish Register of Groton.

? ~

Ms

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5 : mm
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* r "v.

Hi

OP JOHN WINTUKOP. 5

another, of the house in which John Winthrop, the Go-
vernor of Massachusetts, and his son John Winthrop, the
Governor of Connecticut, had both lived, and beneath
whose roof were prepared and pondered the memorable
" Conclusions" which determined them to quit their native
soil. The outlines of the cellar, however, were distinctly
traceable; and there was one old mulberry-tree still
standing, in what was probably the garden-plot, which
might have afforded fruit and shade long before those
Conclusions were acted upon. 1

The spot was well known to the neighbors as the for-
mer property, and place of residence, of the family ; but
one of the traditions • associated with it was, that the
Winthrops were regicides, and that there was money
buried by them in some part of the premises before
their flight to America. Perhaps it was supposed that I
had come over to search for it ! At any rate, I believe
it was the monstrousness of this tradition which prompted
the resolution, which I then formed, that I would employ
my earliest leisure from public occupations in rendering
an act of filial justice to my progenitors. I did not,
indeed, imagine that this absurd story had obtained cur-
rency or credit anywhere except where I heard it, or
that there were not those on the spot who understood
its utterly apocryphal character; 2 and certainly I did
not forget that here, in New England, there are memo-
rials enough, both of the elder and of the younger Win-

1 Prof. Masson, in his Life of Milton, says, humorously enough, that " no fact in
universal biography is better attested, than that great men, wherever they go, plant
mulberry-trees." — Vol. i. p. 147, note (Am. ed.).

* My valued friend, Richard Almack, Esq., F.S.A., of Long Melford, accompanied
me, and knew almost as much of my ancestors as I did myself.

6 LIFE AND LETTERS

throp, to leave no room for such a mistake as this, even
in the mind of any well-educated schoolboy. But it is
not the less true, that there has been no extended bio-
graphy of either of them ; nor any book containing such
an account of their lives, services, and characters, as
would be likely to render them familiar to the modern
public mind.

There is a brief Life of each of them in Mather's
" Magnalia," and another in Belknap's " American Bio-
graphy;" but these works belong to other times, and
are rarely read or referred to at the present day, except
by the historian or the antiquary. 1 The elder Winthrop
has left an' imperishable monument of himself in his an-
nals ; and the laborious and learned annotations of Mr.
Savage have rendered that work, as published in 1825-6, 8
and still more in the new edition of 1853, a complete
storehouse of our early New-England history. It is
a work, however, too full of various and curious matter
about other men and other things, to allow the conduct
and character of its author to impress themselves, as
distinctly as they ought to be impressed, upon the minds
of those who read it. It furnishes only the raw mate-
rial of a biography, rather than a biography itself, even
during the period over which it extends ; while it leaves
the earlier and larger part of its author's life and for-
tunes almost entirely unnoticed.

i A compendious memoir of the elder Winthrop has also been included in the
" Lives of the Governors of New Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay." By Jacob B.
Moore. Boston, 1851.

a The History of New England from 1680 to 1649, by John Winthrop, Esq., first
Governor of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, from his original manuscripts ; with
notes, &c, by James Savage, President of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The
first volume was published in 1825; the second, in 1826.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 7

But I will make no apology for what I have under-
taken ; trusting that it will do its own proper work of
self-justification with those into whose hands it shall fall.
Let me only add, that the resolution which was inspired
by my visit to Groton in 1847, and by the strange story
which I heard there, was fulfilled in manuscript not long
afterwards ; and that several of the following chapters
are now printed just as they were written many years
ago. Meantime, however, not only has another brief
visit to England, in 1859-60, furnished me with the
opportunity of refreshing my remembrance of the Gro-
ton associations and localities, but, since my return home,
a very large collection of original family papers has
come into my possession, supplying information and ma-
terials of the utmost importance to my work, and giving
me abundant cause for satisfaction, that I had so long
resisted the temptation to publish what had been origi-
nally prepared. Indeed, the abundance of these new
materials has been not a little embarrassing. They have
compelled me to abandon not a few of my own specula-
tions and conjectures, and to cancel more than one
chapter on which I had bestowed the most pains, and in
which I had taken the most pride. But the truth of
history will gain largely by such changes; while the
character and career which I have attempted to portray
will lose nothing. .

Dr. Johnson has somewhere expressed the idea, that
the best kind of biography is autobiography ; and that
every man's life may be written by himself better than
anybody else could write it for him. Whether this be
true or not to its full extent, there can be no question

8 LIFE AND LETTERS

that the most trustworthy sort of autobiography is that
which has been written, accidentally and unconsciously,
as it were, in familiar letters or private journals, or upon
the records of official service. Certainly, any one who
has materials of this kind within his reach would be
almost as inexcusable for overlaying them by too much
authorship, as he would be for overlooking them alto-
gether. The life of John Winthrop the elder, most
happily, has been thus written by himself. It may be
read in the language of contemporaneous records, or in
the still more familiar and agreeable language of his
own private correspondence and diary; and if I shall
have succeeded in so arranging his letters and journals,
his confessions and experiences, that this old father of
Massachusetts shall be found telling the story of a con-
siderable part of his career in his own words, and fur-
nishing an ample clew to the course and current of the
rest of it, I shall have accomplished every thing that I
have aimed at. And I shall be greatly mistaken, I do
confess, if in this way there be not presented to fresh
contemplation a character inferior to few which can
be found, either in the earlier or the later history of
•ur land.

I do not forget the caution suggested in the old couplet
of the author of the " Night Thoughts," —

11 They that on glorious ancestors enlarge
Produce their debt, instead of their discharge.*' **

I hardly know, however, of a deeper debt which any
one can incur, or of a more binding obligation which
any one can discharge, — whenever circumstances may
afford the means and opportunity of doing so, — than to

*

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 9

bring out from the treasures of the past, and to hold uj>
to the view of the present and of coming generations,
a great example of private virtue and public usefulness ;
of moderation in counsel, and energy in action ; of stern
self-denial, and unsparing self-devotion ; of childlike trust
in God, and implicit faith in the gospel of Christ, united
with courage enough for conducting a Colony across the
ocean, and wisdom enough for building up a State in
the wilderness. Nor could any one easily subject him-
self to a juster reproach, than that of shrinking from
the discharge of such a debt, for fear of being thought
inclined to exaggerate the importance, or to magnify the
merits, of a remote ancestry.

More «than two centuries have now passed away
since the elder Winthrop was laid in his narrow tomb.
Six entire generations of descendants have intervened
between him and myself. At such a distance of time,
and in this republican atmosphere, by no means favora-
ble to the growth of family pride, I trust my sincerity
will not be questioned when I say, with another and
older poet, —

" Et genus et proavos, et quae non fecimus ipsi,
Vix ea nostra voco."

10 LIFE AND LETTERS

CHAPTER n.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE WINTHROP FAMILY.

The name of Wumnfop may be traced back, in various
spellings, for at least six centuries and a half. On the
Rolls of Court of the County of York, in England, for
the year of our Lord 1200, there is a record which
begins with the name of Robert de Winetorp. There
is a similar record for the county of Lincoln, seven years
later, in which the name I. Winethorp is found. Thorpe
is the Saxon word for " village," corresponding to the
Dutch word Dorp. Win, or wine, has more than one
signification ; sometimes meaning " pleasant," sometimes
" the beloved," and sometimes standing for that juice of
the grape to which both these epithets are not unfre-
quently applied.

Dr. Johnson, quoting from Gibson, says that " Win,
whether initial or final, in the names of men, may either
denote a masculine temper, from pin, which signifies, in
Saxon, 4 war,' i strength/ &c. ; or else the general love
and esteem he hath among the people, from the Saxon
pine; i.e., 'dear/ 'beloved/ In the names of places,
it implies a battle fought there."

A recent American writer on Surnames * says, " Win-

l B. Homer Dixon, Esq.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 11

throp probably means a pleasant thorp, or village/' A
still more recent and most humorous American writer on
Suffolk Surnames l suggests that Winthrop means " wine
village." Dr. Johnson's citation would indicate that it
might bear a more personal and enviable signification
than either.

An old pedigree of the Winthrop Family, of uncertain
date, and of still more uncertain detail, commences by
stating that "they came anciently from Northumber-
land ; " that " they afterwards settled in a village not
far from Newark, which was called ' Winthrop ; ' " that
"from thence they came up to London, and owned
Marribone (Marylebone) Park;" that "from thence
they went to Groton, in Suffolk, where they lived many
years."

The village of .Winthorpe, in Nottinghamshire, still
exists near Newark ; but which generation of the family
lived there, if any, we have not found it easy to ascer-
tain. Winthorpe Hall is a well-known seat in the same
neighborhood. It is a comparatively modern structure,
however ; having been built in 1760 by Dr. Taylor, phy-
sician to George II. 2 There is another village of Win-
thorpe, on the coast of Lincolnshire, of which we know
nothing but the name.

The early history of the Winthrops is thus succinctly
stated by Cotton Mather, in the Magnolia Christi Ameri-
cana: —

" Mr. Adam Winthrop, the son of a worthy gentleman of
the same name, was himself a worthy, a discreet, and a learned

i The late lamented Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch, Esq.
* Burke's Visitation of Seats and Arms, vol. i. p. 196.

12 LIFE AND LETTERS

gentleman, particularly eminent for skill in the law, nor with-
out remark for love to the gospel, under the reign of King
Henry VIII. ; and brother to a memorable favorer of the
reformed religion in the days of Queen Mary, into whose hands
the famous martyr, Philpot, committed his papers, which after-
wards made no inconsiderable part of our martyr-books. This
Mr. Adam Winthrop had a son of the same name also, and of
the same endowments and employments with his father ; and
this third Adam Winth*rop was the father of that renowned
John Winthrop, who was the father of New England, and the
founder of a colony, which upon many accounts, like him that
founded it, may challenge the first place among the English
glories of America." l

Now, Cotton Mather was certainly in the way of
knowing something about the facts which he states in
regard to the Winthrop Family. His grandfather,
Richard Mather, was a friend of John Winthrop, the
Governor of Massachusetts; and his father, Increase
Mather, was a very intimate friend of Fitz-John Win-
throp, the second Governor Winthrop of Connecticut,
upon whom he preached a funeral sermon ; 2 while
Cotton Mather himself was the friend of Wait Still
Winthrop, Chief-Justice of the Superior Court of Mas-
sachusetts (1708-1717), on whom he also pronounced
an elaborate funeral discourse, appending thereto a
Latin epitaph almost as long as the discourse itself.
The family traditions, at least, must thus have been
abundantly familiar to him. Yet we may find good

* Mather's Magnalia, book ii. chap. iv.

* This sermon was reprinted in London (1710), and dedicated to the Lady Rachel
Russell — the widow of the ever-honored martyr, William, Lord Russell — by Sir Henry
Auhurst, bait

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 13

reason for doubting whether he was correct in all his
information, and particularly as to the profession of
one of the Adams, who would appear, as we shall
see hereafter, to have been a merchant or manufac-
turer, instead of a lawyer. Nor have we been able
to ascertain any thing in regard to the relation of
any brother of his to the papers of Philpot, the martyr.
The name of Winthrop is nowhere mentioned, so far
as we have discovered, among the friends of Philpot* 1
in the " Acts . and Monuments " of Fox ; although the
papers of that martyr occupy so considerable a space
in his voluminous work. Perhaps it was a brother by
marriage who was thus distinguished.

The earliest residence of the family, of which there is
any precise record, was at Lanham, or Lavcnham, 2 in
the county of Suffolk, where the second Adam Winthrop
mentioned by Mather was born, on the ninth day of Oc-
tober, 1498, " one year after the battle of Blackheath-
field," as an old Latin pedigree (the earlier and larger
part of it evidently drawn up by his son Adam) is parti-
cular in stating. If it had said " six years after Colum-
bus had discovered the New World," or " the very year
in which Vespucius made the voyage which gave his
name to the whole American hemisphere," it would have
been equally true, and the period would have been fixed
more significantly for those who are now interested in
ascertaining it. But the American hemisphere was of

1 John Philpot, Archdeacon of Winchester, burned at Smithfield, 18th December,
1565.

* The Parish Register of Lavenham does not commence till 1558, or we might
learn more of the family of the first Aflam Winthrop. The beautiful Lavenham
Church was partly built by " Thomas Spring, the rich clothier," who resided there, and
with whose descendants the Winthrops were connected by marriage before 1600.

14 LIFE AND LETTERS

small account when that record was made out, and the
writer of it did not imagine that a reference to the New
World would have any peculiar significance for his own
posterity.

This Adam was the eldest son of Adam Winthrop and
Joane (or Jane) Burton, who is sometimes styled " the
daughter of D. Burton," and sometimes " the widow of
D. Burton, and daughter and co-heir of Lord Burnel." 1
He seems to have been a person of pretty decided cha-
racter. He left his father's residence at seventeen years
of age, and went to London, where he bound himself to
Edward Altham, as an apprentice for ten years. Edward
Altham was of an ancient family, and afterwards reached
the dignity of Sheriff of London (1531). His grandson,
Sir James Altham, was one of the Barons of the Exche-
quer ; and the son of Sir James was that Richard Al-
tham, the friend of Howell, to whom so many of the
" Familiar Letters " are addressed. Edward's own busi-
ness, at this time, was that of a clothier, or cloth-worker,
— a business partly mechanical and partly mercantile
in its nature, and which stood at the head of the indus-
trial pursuits of that period. " The clothiers " (says the
author of the recent "Popular History of England,"
speaking of the middle of the fifteenth century) " stood
apart, as pursuing the most important branch of Eng-
land's industry." And, in relating the events of the be-
ginning of the sixteenth century, the same author bears
special testimony to the influence of the clothiers of

1 The Burnels and Burtons were both Salop (or Shropshire) families, — the former
of great distinction ; bat I find no trace of any connection with the Winthrops in the
pedigrees of either of them.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 15

Suffolk in resisting oppressive and unwarrantable taxa-
tion. " But for the artisans of Suffolk," says he, " Eng-
land, at this period, would probably have passed into
the condition of France, where the abuse of the royal
power had long before deprived the people of their
rights." 1 In the year 1526, when his apprenticeship
had been served out, Adam was admitted to the liberty
of citizenship in London, and sworn in on the 9th of
September, " under the mayoralty of John Allen." 2 The
next year (16th November, 1527) he married Alice
^lenry, or Henny, who is duly recorded as having been
born of honest or honorable parents. By her he had
the following children: —

L Thomas, bora 8th November, 1528. Died in April, 1529.

EL William, bora 12th November, 1529. Died 1st March, 1581,
at London ; and buried at St. Michael's Church, Cornhill. Vir sine

fraude bonus, et pietatis amans. His wife, Elizabeth , died in

Kent, 2d June, 1578 ; having had six cliildren, Jonathan, Adam,
William, Joshua, Elizabeth, and Sarah.

m. Bridget, born 1st January, 1530. Died January, 1536.

IV. Christopher, born 4th January, 1531. Died in the parish
of Stocke, Essex, aged nine months.

V. Thomas (2d), bora at London, June, 1533, "on the day on
which Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England." Died 1537.

1 Knight's Popular History of England, vol. ii. pp. 114, 303.

s The mayoralty of John Allen was a memorable one, as will be seen from the fol-
lowing account of him in Stowe's Survey: —

" This lord mayor (who, for his singular wisdom, was made a privy councillor to
Ring Henry Yin.) built a beautiful chapel here, wherein he was first buried ; but, since,
his tomb is removed thence into the body of the hospital-church, and his chapel divided
into shops. He gave to the city a rich collar of gold, to be worn by the mayor: he
gave a stock of five hundred marks, to be employed for the use of the poor of London,
besides the rents of certain lands by him purchased of the king. To prisons, hospitals,
and lazar-houses, within, and two miles without, the city, he was abundantly chari-
table.'" He died in 1554; and Weever, in his " Antient Funeral Monuments," gives an
elaborate Latin epitaph, which was inscribed on his tomb, in the " Hospital of St Thomas
of Acars, or Mercer's Chaple," in London.

16 LIFE AND LETTERS

Adam Winthrop was married for the second time, in
1534, to Agnes Sharpe, daughter of Robert Sharpe, of
Islington; she being eighteen years of age," and he
thirty-six. By her he had the following children : —

I. Alice, bom 15th November, 1539 ; married Sir Thomas Mildmay,
and had William, Francis, George, John, Henry, and Thomas. She
died 8th November, 1 607 ; and the writer of the Latin pedigree inscribes
against the date of her death, Cujus erat vita vita medulla meet.

II. Bridget, born 3d May, 1543, u on the Festival of the Ascen-
sion." Married Roger Alabaster (of a distinguished Hadley family),
and had William, 1 George, John, Thomas, Sarah. Died in Thai-field,
Herefordshire, 4th November, 1614.

III. Mary, born 1st March, 1544. Married Abraham Veysie.

IV. V. John and Adam, twins, born 20th January, 154B. Adam
died in six months. John married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert
Risby, of Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk County ; and died in Ireland, 26th
July, 1613. 2

VL Adam (2), born 10th August, 1548. Died 1623, at Groton
Manor. He will form the subject of our next chapter.

1 This was Dr. William Alabaster, who is thus described in Fuller's Worthies (vol.
ii. p. 343) : " A most rare poet as any our age or nation has produced : witnesse his Tra-
gedy of ' Roxana,' " &c. " He was made Prebendary of St Paul's, and Rector of ye
rich parsonage of Tharfield, in Hartfordshire." He had turned Papist during a visit to
Rome; and on that account, after coming back to England, had been imprisoned in the
Tower. But, of course, he had renounced the Pope before obtaining " the rich parson-
age." He died in 1640.

2 He has been supposed to have left a son, from whom came Stephen Winthrop, of
Bandon (1658): among whose numerous descendants may be named the late Benjamin
Winthrop, Esq., of London, Governor of the Bank of England, 1804-5; his son, the
late Benjamin Winthrop, Esq., of University College, Oxford, and of Lincoln's Inn,
London; his nephew, the Rev. Benjamin Winthrop, M.A., of Wolverton, Warwick;
and the late Winthrop Mackworth Praed, M.P., the lamented poet and statesman. The
family records leave the first link of this connection in some doubt ; but a letter in
my possession, dated " Bandon Bridge in Ireland, the 5th day of March, 1637," ad-
dressed " To her lovinge & aproued good trend and Kinsman, Mr. John Winthrop in
New England," and signed, '* Your lovinge Cosen Joane Winthorp, daughter to Willyara
Hille8," settles the question, that the Winthrops of Bandon were of the same family
with those of Groton. Joane Hilles, daughter of William Hilles, of Holton Hall, Suf-
folk County, was married to Adam Winthrop, a cousin of our Massachusetts Governor
Winthrop, early in 1600 ; and had a son, named Adam, in April, 1601. Joane writes
that her husband had been dead three years in 1687. He was undoubtedly the son of
William Winthrop, of St. Michael's, Cornhill, London ; and thus the Bandon Family
may have been descended from William, and not from John.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 17

YEL Catharine, born 17th May, 1550. Married, and had chil-
dren. Died * .

Vm. Susanna, bora 10th December, 1552. Married D. Cottie,
and had children. Died at Coventry, 9th August, 1604

Adam Winthrop, whose children have thus been
enumerated, seems to have become prominent in the
ranks of the clothiers, and to have obtained a distin-
guished position in that famous Clothworkers' Company ,
of London, into which royalty itself, half a century
afterwards, thought it no scorn to seek an entrance.
'King James I. (we are told) incorporated himself into
the clothworkers, as men dealing in the principal and
noblest staple-ware of all these islands. " Being in the
open hall, he asked who was master of the company :
and the Lord Mayor answered, c Sir William Stone ; '
unto whom the king said, 4 Wilt thou make me free of
the clothworkers ? ' — 'Yea,' quoth the master, * and think
myself a happy man that I live to see this day.' Then
the king said, * Stone, give me thy hand ; and now I am
a clothworker.' " 2 It appears, from the court-books of
this ancient company, that Adam Wyntrope was one
of the stewards in 1537-8, quarter-warden in 1544, and
upper-warden in 1545 ; and that he obtained the full
dignity of master of the company in 155 1. 8

1 Catharine is not named in her father's will, in 1562, when she could have been but
t*tfo years of age. The old pedigree can hardly be correct in its indefinite statement,
that she " married, and had children."

1 12th Jane, 1607. Howes' Continuation of Stow's Chronicle to 1631, p. 890.

* The company hare recently erected a magnificent new hall, in which I saw (1860)
■ portrait of King James and one of Sir Samuel Pepys. The latter was master in
1677; and presented to them the rich " loving cup," which is still used on all festive
occasions. George Peabody, Esq., the American banker, was admitted to the company,
*t a sumptuous banquet, after his recent munificent provision for the poor of London
(1862), and one of the lineal descendants of Adam Winthrop, the Master of the Com-
pany in 1651, was present on the occasion.

3

18 LITE AND LETTERS

In 1543, it is recorded in the old pedigree, that this
Adam Winthrop was imprisoned in the Fleet for having
had negotiations with foreigners, contrary to the edict of
the king ; and there detained until he had paid six hun-
dred pounds into the royal treasury. These were the
days when England was protecting her wool-trade by
severe restrictions, and Adam may have incurred the
penalty of some anti-free-trade enactment. These were
the days, too, of violent and arbitrary religious persecu-
tions ; and it may be that he was found in correspond-
ence or negotiation with reformers who had fled beyond
the seas. This idea would accord with Cotton Mather's
tradition about his brother and the martyr Philpot. At
any rate, a fine of six hundred pounds would seem to
indicate a considerable fortune, as well as a considerable
fault, whatever it was. In 1548, he is stated to have
been inscribed as an esquire (armiger) under the hand
and seal of the young King, Edward VI. ; and in the
same year, " in the parish of St. Peter s, in the street
called Gracious," his son Adam — the third Adam spoken
of by Mather — was born.

Meantime, we learn from the history of Suffolk Coun-
ty, that " Groton, formerly the lordship of the Abbot of
Bury, was granted at the dissolution to Adam Winthrop,
Esq. ; in whose family it continued till about the fourth
year of Charles I." 1 The dissolution of the monasteries
took place between the years 1536 and 1540 ; but the
formal grant to Adam Winthrop, as recently found
among the Patent Rolls in the Public Record Office in

1 Excursions in Suffolk, vol. 4. p. 78: London, 1818.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 19

London, bears date 35 Henry VDI. (1544). The instru-
ment, as translated by an expert from the original
abbreviated Latin, began as follows : —

" The King, to all those, &c, greeting. Know that we, in
consideration of the sum of four hundred and eight pounds
eighteen shillings and threepence, of lawful English money,
paid into the hands of the Treasurer of our Court of Augmen-
tation of the revenues of our crown by our beloved Adam
Wynthropp (of which said sum we confess ourself fully satis-
fied and contented, and that the said Adam, his heirs and exe-
cutors, are henceforth acquitted by these presents), of our
special favor, certain knowledge, and mere intent, have given
and conceded, and by these presents do give and concede, to
the aforesaid Adam Wynthropp, all that our manor of Groton,
in our county of Suffolk, with all its rights, members, and ap-
purtenances, to the late monastery of Bury St. Edmond's, in
the same county, formerly belonging and appertaining," &c.

Adam seems to have established himself at Groton,
for a part of the year, not long after this grant, and to
have soon been called on to exercise the authority which
it conferred. It appears, from the Registry of the Arch-
deaconry of Sudbury, that Roger Ponder was inducted
Rector of Groton, Feb. 13, 1546; having been pre-
sented to the living by " Adam Wintrop, Lord of the
Manor, and Patron of the Church." At Groton, too,
this second Adam Winthrop died, in 1562 ; and an ori-
ginal bronze plate upon his tomb — now in my posses-
sion, and probably removed from the tomb when the
longer inscription given in the introductory chapter was
engraved upon the stone tablet — contained the follow-
ing inscription: "Here lyeth Mr. Adam Wynthrop,
Lorde and Patron of Groton, whiche departed owt of

20 LIFE AND LETTERS

ttris Worlde the IX th day of November, in the yere
of oure Lorde God MCCCCCLXn." 1

In the old pedigree, from which all our scraps of
Latin are taken, he is styled virpius, et verce religionis
amans. There is a likeness of him still extant, having
many of the characteristics of a Holbein; and which,
if there be any " art to find the mind's construction in
the face," portrays a man of an adventurous and fear-
less spirit. His last will and testament, as still extant
in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, England, was
dated 20th September, 1562 ; and proved 15th January,
1563. It leaves to his wife, Agnes, the use of his
house and furniture in St. Michael's, Cornhill, whenever
she visits London. It names his sons, — William, John,
and Adam; and his daughters, — Alice, Bridget, Mary,
and Susan. These were, undoubtedly, all the children
who survived him. 2

The widow of Adam Winthrop was afterwards mar-
ried to William Mildmay, of Springfield Barnes. She
died 13th May, 1565, femina prceclaris condecorata do-
n%8 ; and his daughter Alice married William Mildmay 's
son Thomas, who was afterwards knighted, and she
became the Lady Mildmay. This was the Lady Mild-
may from whom came " the stone pot with the silver
lid," to which we shall find further reference hereafter,
and which was preserved as an heir-loom in the family

1 Edward Howes, writing to John Winthrop, jun., from London, 3d September, 1636,
says, " Your Aunt Downing hath bespoken a black marble gravestone for your grand-
sire and grandmother." This was undoubtedly the period of the change.

3 The will refers also to a sister Whiting ; and to another sister, the wife of Richard
Burd, of Ipswich, of whom I know nothing.

-■;-■» ■.*%'" * v> y *"*': " '"•" ~' v

■\ *

1X^

^»Uw \cy *tfz<*4$f-

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 21

until a late day, when it was deposited among the trea-
sures of the American Antiquarian Society, at Worces-
ter, Massachusetts.

An ancient certificate from the Herald's Office, now
in my possession, dated 1582, and in which, as in most
other ancient instruments, there is a plentiful lack of
punctuation, gives the arms of the family as follows : —

" To all and singular Nobles and Gentlemen of what estate
dignity or degree (soever) bearing Armes to whom these pre-
sents shall come William Detheck also Garter principal King
of Armes sendeth deu commendacions and greetings. Know
ye that whereas by virtue of the ancient authority of my office
from the Queenes most Excellent Majesty I am to take generall
notice and to make publique declaration record and testimony
for all matters and causes of Armes pedigrees and descents of
all Noblemen and gentlemen through all her Majesty's King-
doms Dominions principalities Isles and provinces To the end
that like as some by their ancient names parentages kindreds
and descent are generally known and anciently registered in
the records of my office So others for theyre vertues valiant-
ness dignities and deserts may be worthely approved and better
discerned by these lawdable ensignes and tokens of honor and
worshippe most necessary to be had and used in all the com-
mendable acts of gentility. Wherefore having proof of this
shield and cote of armes apperteyning to the name and ances-
tors of John Wynethrop Esquire, sonne of Adam Wyne-
throp of Groton in the County of Suffolk, Gentleman : I the
said Garter principall King of Armes, according to the autho-
rity and custome of my office have thought good to declare
blaze and exemplify the same shield or cote of Armes together
with a creast or cognizaunce appropriate for achievement to the
same viz, vizor (Far gent three Chevrons Gules CrSnelS over all
a Lion rampant Sables armed and langued azure. And for his
creast or cognizaunce a Hare proper running on a mount vert

22 LIFE AND LETTERS

sett upon a helmet in a wreathe of his coullors with mantells
and tassells as appeareth in this margent — To have and to
hold use and enjoy the said shield and Cote of armes with the
said three Chevrons and the Lion rampant together with the
creast and cognizaunce of a Hare proper running upon a green
hill and every part and parcell thereof unto the within named
John Wynethrop, gent: and others the children issue and
posterity of the said Adam Wynethrop of Groton of the sayd
County of Suffolk Esquire lawfully begotten (observing their
due differences) for ever. And that they may have use and
beare the same Armes and Crests upon their Shields Targets
Swords or Ensignes for Warre or in their rings signetts and
seales for letters and evidences or in and upon their howses
buildings edifices utensiles and liveries or otherwise eyther
paynted carved or figured upon tymber marble glasse metall
stones tombes or monuments : And finally for any other lawful
warlike or vertuous and civile uses and exercises such as by
the lawes of armes and customes for gent : apperteyneth : And
this without any lawful impediment or contradiction of any per-
son or persons. In witness and perpetual remembrance and
testimony hereof I the said Garter principall King of Armes
have to these lettres patent subscribed my name and fastened
the Seale of my office endorsed with the signet of my armes —
Yeoven at the office of Armes London the 24 day of June in
the XXXIH year of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lady Eliza-
beth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ire-
land defender of the faith.

1592

William Detheck Garter

principall Kinge off Armes."

The John Winthrop named in this certificate is un-
questionably the same who has already been mentioned
as born in 1546, and who removed to Ireland, and died
there in 1613. It will be seen, however, that it was not
an original grant of arms, but only an exemplification

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 23

of " the shield and cote of armes apperteyning to his
name and ancestors."

In addition to the children of Adam Winthrop here-
tofore given, the names of at least three more have
found their way into a comparatively modern account
of the family: viz., Robert, who is called of Scotland;
Elizabeth, who is said to have married a Cottie ; and Anne.
No dates of their births or deaths, however, are any-
where given ; and no mention whatever is made of them
in the old Latin pedigree. The author of that pedigree
could hardly fail to have known how many brothers and
sisters he had ; and he states expressly, that his father
had four sons and one daughter by his first wife, and
three sons and five daughters by the second wife. This
would seem to settle the question, that Robert, Eliza-
beth, and Anne belonged to an earlier or a later gene-
ration.

In some accounts of the family, both manuscript and
printed, it has been stated that Adam Winthrop, the
father of these children, was once " Master of Trinity
Hall, Cambridge, and Vice-Chancellor of the Univer-
sity." 1 This were, certainly, a feather in the family cap,
not readily to be relinquished; but neither the Latin
pedigree on which we have relied, nor the records of
the university, which are still more conclusive, afford
any authority for this statement. The career of Adam,
as it may be gathered from the foregoing facts and
dates, would seem quite inconsistent with his having

1 Discourse on the death of Hon. John Winthrop, LL.D. and F.R.S., Hollis Pro-
fessor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Cambridge, New England ; by Edward
Wigglesworth, A.M., Hollis Professor of Divinity, 1779, p. 28.

24 LEFE AND LETTERS

held such an office; and we can only account for
such an error having crept into print, by the con-
jecture, that the title, which really belonged to good
Bishop Still, the reputed author of " Gammer Gur-
ton's Needle," 1 — whose sister, as we shall presently
see, was married to Adam Winthrop's son, — was acci-
dentally misplaced in transcribing the pedigree at some
day long past, and became attached to a name to which
it did not belong. John Still, afterwards Bishop of
Bath and Wells, was Master of Trinity, and Vice-Chan-
cellor of the University of Cambridge, between 1576
and 1592. It does not often happen, that, after the
lapse of nearly three centuries, a borrowed plume can
be so honestly accounted for, or so readily restored to
its rightful owner. Meantime, however, we shall see,
in our next chapter, that the son of this Adam Win-
throp held an honorable and responsible relation to the
University for many years.

1 " The evidence that Bishop Still was the author of Gammer Gurton's Needle is
exceedingly slight." — Prof. CraiVs Manual of English Literature. London, 1862,
p. 206.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 25

CHAPTER HI.

ADAM WINTHROP, THE THIRD OF THAT NAME. HIS FAMILY AND
PERSONAL CAREER. HIS POETRY, DIARY, AND ALMANACS.

Adah Winthrop (3d), the father of our Massachusetts
Governor, and the third son of Adam Winthrop and
Agnes Sharpe, was born in London, in the parish of
St. Peter's, and " in the street which is called Gracious n
(Gracechurch), on Friday, 10th August, 1548. Of his
early life and fortunes we have but few details. His
father died when he was but fourteen years of age ; and
his mother lived only three years afterwards, — having,
as we have seen, been married again in the mean time.
Of course, he had but a brief enjoyment of parental
care and culture. The family traditions, as perpetuated
by Cotton Mather, represent him to have been a lawyer ;
and he has sometimes been recorded as a serjeant-at-
law. A memorandum in one of his old account-books
proves that he was of the Temple in London in
1594 ; and that, on the 21st of February of that year,
he paid " to Mr. Marple* the chiefe buttler of the Tem-
ple" for all his pensions in advance, for " an Aide
Boule," and for the reparation of the church, the sum
of fifty shillings. A note of his " gaynes in lawe "
during the preceding year, amounting only to seven or
eight pounds, would not indicate, however, a very exten-

4

26 UFE AND LETTERS

sive practice at that period of his life, whatever it may
have been in his earlier years. After this date, he
seems to have resided almost altogether at Groton, and
to have occupied himself mainly with agricultural pur-
suits.

It is not easy to decide exactly at what period, or
under what circumstances, he became lord of the manor.
It would have been natural, that the Groton estate, at
the father's death, should have gone first to the eldest
son, William; but the London property to which he
succeeded may have been considered sufficient for him.
At any rate, we find a royal license of alienation among
the Patent Rolls of 1557-8, under which the Groton estate
was entailed upon the second son, John, who became lord
of the manor on his father's death in 1562. 1 A similar
license of alienation is found among the Patent Rolls of
1594, when John removed to Ireland ; agreeably to which,
the estate was sooner or later conveyed to Adam. But
John appears to have made occasional visits to the
manor for several years after his removal to Ireland;
and as late as the 3d of October, 1601, we find him
keeping a court at Groton Hall, when Adam says in
his diary, " We had pike to dynn p that was iii qrt™ of
a yarde longe, ut puto."

Cotton Mather would seem to imply that Adam was
once the recipient of royal favor, in the following anec-
dote which he tells in connection with the younger John

1 This second son John, as lord of the manor, presented Thomas Howlet to the
living at Groton, 27th March, 1568, in place of Henry Browne, who had been inducted
as rector 5th April, 1563, in place of Peter Forman, deceased, at the nomination of Agnes
Wynthropp, widow of Adam (2d).

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 27

Winthrop's mission to England, in 1661-2, to obtain
the charter of Connecticut: "I have been informed,
that while he was engaged in this negotiation, being
admitted unto a private conference with the king, he
presented his majesty with a ring, which King Charles
I. had, upon some occasion, given to his grandfather ;
and the king not only accepted his present, but also
declared that he accounted it one of his richest jewels ;
which, indeed, was the opinion that New England had
of the hand that carried it." This ring has become
historical, and has been the subject both of story and
of song. A lively version of the anecdote, and of the
marvellous influence of " the bauble " in securing the
charter for Connecticut, may be remembered in the third
chapter of Cooper's charming tale of "The Wept of
Wish-Ton-Wish ; " and Trumbull and Pitkin have incor-
porated the tradition into the graver pages of history. 1
Doubtless it must have had some foundation in fact;
and a miniature of Charles II. is still in possession of
some of the descendants 2 of the Connecticut governor,
which is said to have been given to him by Charles him-
self on the same occasion. But, if the ring were ever
given to Adam Winthrop, it must have been while
Charles I. was still only a prince, as he was not
crowned until two years after Adam's death.

There are abundant proofs that this Adam Winthrop
was a man of good education and of high social stand-

1 Hollister's recent History of Connecticut repeats the story (vol. i. p. 208); and
Miss Caulking, the historian of New London, has written a pretty ode upon it: but Roger
Wokott, in his elaborate Poem on the Agency of Winthrop in procuring the Charter,
published in 1724, does not allude to it

* The family of the late brave and brilliant Major Theodore Winthrop, who fell at
Big Bethel, June 10, 1861.

28 LIFE AND LETTERS

ing. The old pedigree, from which we have cited so-
many scraps of Latin, would bespeak him to have been
not altogether wanting in scholarship, 1 mingled, perhaps,
with a sufficient share of pedantry. The late Rev.
Joseph Hunter, of London, in the following extract
from his valuable communication upon "Suffolk Emi-
grants," made to the Massachusetts Historical Society in
September, 1847, furnishes evidence that he was not
without some humble pretensions as a poet ; his verses
having been thought worthy of preservation in a miscel-
lany of the poetry of the time : —

"Adam Winthrop" (says Mr. Hunter) "received, as a
present from * his sister, Lady Mildmay,' in 1607, « a stone
pot, tipped and covered with a silver lid,' which is still pre-
served as a relic in the family. Mr. Savage, to whose edition
of Winthrop's History I owe this information, has not shown
us which of the Lady Mildmays of his time (for there were
several) stood in the relation of sister to Adam Winthrop :
but in his communication to the society, of information col-
lected by him in England in the year 1842, he gives an extract
from the parish-register of Groton, which distinctly shows
that it was Thomas, son of William Mildmay, who married
Alice Winthrop, the sister of Adam ; and he correctly states,
that this Thomas Mildmay was Mildmay of Springfield Barnes
in Essex, was knighted, and that thus the daughter of Win-
throp became Lady Mildmay. This lady is, indeed, distinctly
described by Morant, in his < History of the County of Essex *
(vol. ii. p. 24), as Alice, daughter of Adam Winthrop, of
Groton. Morant further informs us, that Sir Henry Mildmay,
of Graces, in the parish of Baddow, near Chelmsford, was
the issue of this marriage. This Sir Henry and his family
are the Mildmays who are named occasionally in the Winthrop

l The Latin is generally in hexameter or pentameter verse.

OF JOHN WDTTHROP. 29

Letters. He lived till 1639, when he died at the age of
sixty-one. The wife of this Sir Henry was a near neighbor
and friend of the Winthrops, a daughter of Gurdon of Assing-
ton, 1 the next parish to Groton, the family intended by the
Governor, when, in his first letter to Groton from the new
country, he desires to be remembered to all at Assington ; and
this Lady Mildmay (not the Lady Mildmay originally a Win-
throp, as might at first be supposed) is the lady to whom the
lines which follow were addressed by Adam Winthrop. There
is something pleasing in them ; and we may observe, that they
exhibit something of the same feeling which we may collect
from some passages of his son's writings belonged to him.
The child who was thus welcomed to the world, became, in due
time, member for his county, and was < the implacable political
enemy of Sir John Bramston* (Autobiography of Sir John,
p. 122). The lines are preserved in a miscellany of poetry
of the time, now No. 1,598 of the Harleian Manuscripts.

" Verses made by Mr. Adam Winthropp to the Ladie Mildmay at y* Byrth of
Tier Sonne Henery.
Madam,
I singe not like the swanne, that readye is to dye ;
But with the Phcenix I rejoyce, when she in fire doth frye.
My soule doth praise the Lord and magnific his name,
For this sweete babe which in yo* wombe he did most finely frame.
And on a blessed day hath made him to be borne,
That with his giftes of heavenly grace his soule he might adorn e.
God graunt him happie days in joye & peace to lyve,
And more of this most blessed fruite hereafter to you give.

Amen.
Ah me what doe I meane, to take my penne in hande,
More meete it were my aged Muse should reste and silent stande.
For pleasure take I none in music's sweetest laies,
Nor do delight, as I was wonte, in them to spend my daies.
Yet when the joyfull newes did come unto my eare,
That at this time a sonne was borne of you, my Ladie deare :
My harte was filde with joye, my spirits revived all,
And from my olde & barren brayne these verses rude did fall :

1 Amy Gordon was Sir Henry's second wife. His first marriage is thus given in
Adim Winthrop's diary, 1 June, 1609 : " My nephiew S*. Henry Mildmay was married
to S» Will? Harris his daughter of Cricksey."

30 LITE AND LETTERS

Welcome sweete babe thou art unto thy parents deare,
Whose hartes thou filled hast with joy, as well yt doth appeare.
The day even of thy byrth, when light thou first didst see,
Foresheweth that a, joyfull life shall happen unto thee.
For blessed is that daye and to be kept in mynde,
On which our Saviour Jesus Christ was borne to save mankinde.
Growe up therefore in grace, and feare his holie name,
Who in thy mothers secreat wombe thy members all did frame ;
And gave to thee a soule thy bodie to susteyne,
Which when this life shall ended be, in heaven with him shall reigne.
Love him with all thy harte, and make thy parents gladd,
As Samuell did, whom of the Lord his mother Anna had.
God graunt that they may live, to see from thee to springe,
Another like unto thyselfe who may more joy them bringe.
And from all wicked wayes, that godles men do trace,
Pray daylie that he will thee keepe by his most mightie grace-.
That when thy dayes shall ende in his appoynted tyme,
Thou may est yelde up a blessed soule defiled with noe cryme.
And to thy mother deere obedient be and kinde,
Give eare unto her godlie words and print them in thy mynde.
Thy father likewise love and willingly obey,

That thou may'st long possesse those lands which he must leave one daye.

Finis. 111

Mr. Hunter did not venture to give the exact date for
these verses ; but we shall presently find conclusive
authority for saying, that the child whose nativity they
celebrated was born on Christmas Day, 1619. We
could hardly commend them as a birthday ode or a
Christmas carol for the present generation ; though we
doubt not that many " ruder verses " have fallen from
" old and barren braynes," both in that day and in this.
They are only valuable, however, as giving a glimpse
of domestic life nearly two hundred and fifty years ago,
and as furnishing an amusing illustration of the character

* Mass. Hist Coll., 8d series, vol. x. pp. 152-4. An original draught has enabled
us to make some corrections in these verses, which are written by their author in long
lines, as here printed.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 31

and qualities of their author. How little could he have
dreamed of their being reproduced after so long an
interval, and subjected to the criticism, perhaps to the
ridicule, of remote generations in a widely distant hemi-
sphere !

But still less could he have dreamed of the survival
to this day of his private diary, and of the family alma-
nacs in which he had recorded so many of his own
experiences and of the daily occurrences in his little
household. Of the old Winthrop Almanacs, there are
no less than fifteen remaining. 1 Two of them, it is true,
bear date after Adam's death. The almanac for the year
1631 belonged to Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts,
and contains but few memoranda, and those of no parti-
cular interest. That for the year 1662 belonged to
Governor Winthrop of Connecticut, and contains at
least one memorable entry in his own handwriting : —

" This day, May 10 in the afternoon, the Patent for Connec-
ticut was sealed.

But all the almanacs for the previous years were the
property of our third Adam, and several of them con-
tain highly interesting and characteristic memoranda in
Ms plain and well-preserved handwriting; while his
little Diary, embracing a great part of the period from
1594 to 1610, abounds with the details of his own life, and
of the lives and fortunes of his friends and neighbors.

It appears from this Diary, and from the accounts

1 Twelve of them are in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and
J^ee of the most precious of them— those for the years 1603-4, 1614-16, and 1621-2 —
"J oy own possession. For the recovery of two of them, I was indebted to the unfailing
"kdneM of my friend, George Livermore, Esq.

32 UFE AND LETTERS

which form a part of the same manuscript volume, that
he held the office of Auditor at Trinity College, Cam-
bridge, for not less than sixteen or seventeen years ; and
that he was accustomed to spend a week or more every
winter at Cambridge in examining the college-accounts.
He was the Auditor of St. John's College, also, during a
part, if not the whole, of the same period. Thus, as
early as 1593, and again in 1597, we find him entering
among his annual receipts a fee of eight pounds six
shillings and eightpence from Trinity College, and a fee
of thirteen shillings and fourpence from St. John's ; while
in his Diary we find the following records : —

" 1601. The iv* of Decemb. I riddc to Cambridge &
beganne the Auditt the 7 th beinge Monday.

The xiiij th of Decembre I returned from the Auditt & did
see the Sonne in the Eclips about 12 of the Clock at noone.

1604. The last of Novcmb. I rode to Cambridge to keepe
the Audit at Trinitie Colledge & I ret. the XV th of December.

1605. The iij d of Dccembr. I did ryde to the Auditt at
Trinity Coll. & retourned the xvij th .

1608. The Seconde day of December I did ryde to Cam-
bridge.

The xii th of December I retorned home from the Auditt."

In January, 1609-10, we find him recording the cir-
cumstances under which he resigned his auditorship, as
follows : —

" The 22 & 23 (January) Mr. Dr. Meriton 1 came to speake
w 111 me about the resigninge of my office in Trinity College to
Mr. Brookes.

l Rer. George Meriton, D.D., who died Dean of York, 23d December, 1624, and
was buried in the south aisle of York Minster.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 33

The 27 I surrendered my Auditorship in Trinitye College
to the Mr fellowes & schollers before a pub. notary.

The iiij th of Marche I dyned at Df Mcriton's in Hadley
& received of him a xx 1 ? for my Auditorshippe.

1610. On Munday the xvi* of Aprill Mr. Rich. Brooke the
nue Auditor of Trinity College was at my house in Groton, to
whom I dd. divers paper books & Eoles touchinge his office."

From the following entry in his Diary, it appears that
he held other offices also during the same period, of
more or less interest and importance to the community
in which he lived : —

"1602. The vij* of Aprill I was appointed by Sf W*
Waldegraue and iij other Justices to be one of the Overseers
of the poore & one of the Serchers of Cloth w^in Groton.
Juratus et obligatus"

A still more extended view of his various employ-
ments and avocations may be gathered from such entries
as these : —

" 1606. The XV th day of Aprill I kept a Court for my
'brother Snelling at Shimplinge. 1

The xxviij th I kept a Court at Groton Hall.

The 29 (June) I kept a Court at Sliimplinge.

The 2 day (October) I kept a Court for Mr. Manocke at
Toppefields.

The xxi rt I kept a Courte & leete at Shimplinge.

The XV th (January) I saft upon a Commission with Mr.
Clopton at Lang?

The xviij 01 (Marche) I did keepe a Court at Toppesfields.

1607. The 22 of July I was sworne one of the Grande
Jury at the Assises then holden at Bury before my L. Coke.
Mr. Byce was the foreman.

* A parish in Suffolk Comity, not far from Lavenham.
5

34 LIFE AND LETTERS

The vi 01 of October I kept a leete & Court baron for Mr.
Edward Newport at Bromley Hall in Essex.

1608. The last of June I made Rob* Waspes Will.
Oct. 24 th I kept a Court at Bromley Hall."

Adam, be it remembered, at this busy period, was
already a grandfather, and had passed his sixtieth birth-
day. But his diary and almanacs deal with many other
persons besides himself, and with many other occurrences
besides those in which he was himself an actor. We
find him sometimes setting down with particular pre-
cision the religious observances of the time; as, for
instance, in the following entries : —

" 1596. The ix of August my brother Weston l preched at
Boxford, sup. 13 Marcu versu ultimo, pie et eloquenter.

1603. The V th day [August] was celebrated for the King's
deliverance in Scotland the same day of the moneth An [1583]
from being murdered by the Erie of Gowry . Mr. Birde preached
at Boxforde uppon the 12 psalme, pie et docte.

1605. The xviii th day of July Mr. Welshe the preacher
of Little W [aldingficld] died, & was buried in the said Churche
the 20 th of July, Mr. Knewstub preached the funerall Sermon*
& he w th other preachers carried his coffin on thcr shoulders.

The first of August my Cosyn Munnings preched at Box-
ford a very godly & learned Sermon uppon the 5 th chap, of
Gen : v. 1. 2. 3.

The XXIX th [August] Mr. Rogers 2 preached at Boxford,
Jam. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4.

1606. The xiiii th of Sept. Mr. Sands preched at Groton.

1607. The last of Decembr. Mr. Willm Amyes 3 preached
at Boxford uppon the 80 psalme, & first verse, pie et docte.

1 Roger Weston, Vicar of Wormingforde, Essex Co., who had married a sister of
Adam Winthrop's wife. He died 2d December, 1608.

2 Doubtless of Dedham, Co. Essex.

8 William Ames, the learned Puritan preacher and writer, the author of " Medulla
Theologica," and professor in the University of Franeker in Holland in 1629.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 35

1616. March 9. Mr. Sands preched at y* Communion.

1619. March 1. Ash Wedensday, the first day of Lent,
Mr. Layfield preached at Boxforde.

8, 9. The Assizes at Bury. Mr. Muninge preached before
the Judges. Mr. Vertue preached at Boxforde.

1620. April 17. Mr. Rogers of Dedham preached at cur-
fey.

My Cosen Jeremy Raven 1 preached at Boxforde on Sonday
in the afternoone, 18 Junii, 1620. Psal. 136. v. 15."

Sometimes we find him recording events of wider and
more public interest; as, for example, in the years
1602-3-4: —

** 1602. On Wedensdaye the xxiiii of Marche Queen Eliza-
beth died & James the vi th Kinge of Scotland was proclaymed
the next day at London, & on Saturday the xxvir* at Colches-
ter & Sudbury w 01 the great rejoicings of all men.

The iiii of Aprill Dr. Nevill M r . of Trinitie College in
Oimbrige & Deane of Canterbury went towarde Scotlande in
the name of the Clergie.

The xvV* of Aprill being Saturday the Kinges ma* 7 came
to the Citty of York.

The xviii of Aprill Mr. Clopton toulde me that the Kinge
had sworne the Erles of Northumberland & Cumberland of his
privy counsell & also the L. Tho. Howard & the L. Mounta-
gue, & that the Lord Howarde should be L. Chamberlayne.

The 21 the Kinge did come to Shrewsbury, the 22 to
Uewarke, the 23 to Bever Castle.

The 23 of Aprill the Justices of the Peace were sworne
to the Kinge & appointed Justices by force of a nue Com-
mission.

1 Doubtless a cousin of Adam Winthrop's wife. In Adam's account-book, he men-
"** hiring paid (as executor of his father-in-law, Henry Browne) a legacy of xl - . to
to uncle Raven, and another of the same amount to John Raven. John was a native
* Hadleigh, and Rouge Dragon in the Herald's Office in 1689.— Proceedings of Suf.
bLofArchwologii, vol. hi. pp. 186 and 175.

36 LIFE AND LETTERS

The 28th day was the funeralles kept at Westnr! for o r late
Queene Elizabeth.

The day the Kings ma* 7 was at Cambridge.

The third of May the K. came to Teboldes 1 to Sr. Robert
Cecilles house.

Mem. that the K. ma tie sett forth a proclamation giuen at
Theobaldcs 1 the vn^ of May against licenses granted by the late
Q. to private persons of all monopolies & against prophaninge
of the Saboth by interludes Bulbaitinge & all other games.

1603. March 15. King James Q. Anne and Henry y*
prince of Wales rode through y° Cytty of London from y 6
Tower to Whighthall.

19. The Parleament began at Westminster where the K.
made an Eloquent Oration to y° Lordes and Comons.

1604. the XXIX th (Aprill) my Cosen Munninge was at Gro-
ton & showed me a booke in Latine, De Unione Britannia.

24 Oct. It was proclaymed that England & Scotland
should be called Great Brittaine."

Such entries as these, in any almanac or diary of
modern days, would by no means imply any peculiar
information on the part of the person by whom they had
been made. Any one might easily copy them from a
Court Journal or a Royal Gazette. But it must not
be forgotten, that newspapers were quite unknown at
the time these entries were made. The old story of
the " English Mercurie," published by authority " for the
prevention of false reports," and commenced under the
special patronage of Queen Elizabeth and Burleigh, at

1 Theobald's was a famous place for the royal sports in those days. While Sir
Robert Cecil, then Earl of Salisbury, was entertaining the kings of England and Den-
mark there, his Britannic majesty is said to have become so intoxicated as to be obliged
to be put to bed. Salisbury afterwards sold it to James, and it became his favorite
residence. — Knighft Popular History of England, vol. iii. pp. 339-40. An odd place,
certainly, for so pious a proclamation to date from I

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 37

the period of the Spanish Armada, seems now to have
been entirely exploded. 1 The first genuine English
newspaper was the "Weekly News" of 1622. It is
quite possible that special bulletins or " Currantoes " of
a royal progress may have been printed and circulated
at the time ; and we know that King James's Pro-
gresses were afterwards served up in a considerable
tract, which has been incorporated into Nichols's elabo-
rate work a on the same subject. But, unless Adam ob-
tained his facts from some such public sources, he must
not only have had his eyes and ears wide open to the
movements of royalty, in order to keep the record so
exactly from day to day, but must have been in the way
of meeting those who could tell him something about
them.

Here are other entries of somewhat the same general
interest : —

"1595. The 3. 4. & 5 daies of October Sir W? Walde-
graue mustred all his sould™, viz. 400, uppon a hill nere Sud-

The of Marche Sf Robert Winckfilde the ancientest

Knight in Suff. died, & Sf Francis Hynde of Cambridgeshire
tie 21 of the same moneth.

1596, The vi* 11 day of July the Assizes were holden at
Bury. The same day was the Commencement at Cambridge
4 Mr. Qverall 3 was made Df of Divinitie.

1603. The 23 daie of July my brother Mildmay was made
a bight at Whighthall. 4

The 25 th daye the Kings ma tfe was crowned at Westm*

1 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 8th ed., " Newspapers."

8 Progresses, &c., of King James I. London, 1828. 4 vols. 4to.

• A distinguished son of Hadleigh, who died, Bishop of Norwich, in 1619.

4 Sir Thomas Mildmay of Springfield Barnes.

38 LIFE AND LETTEBS

1C07. The vlii th of Feb. beinge Shrove tuesday the L.
Cokes seconde soonne maryed the daughter & heire of Sf
George Waldegraue at Hicham.

1608. The XXV th of July my lorde Coke chiefe Justice
of the Comon Plaies came to Hicham to S! G. Waldegraues
cum rnagno comitatu amicoru et famtdoru stipatus.

1609. The xim^ (March) the Assizes were holdcn at
Chelmesforde by Baron Altham only, & S r Tho : Mildmay of
Barnes in Springfield was highe shreve.

1617. May 9. Sir Fra : Bacon L. Keeper came to West-
minster Hall with a great company of noblemen and others,
to take his place in the Chancery.

24. Serjent Hutton was sworn one of the justices of the
Comon Plees."

Sometimes he jots down the social incidents of his
household, as follows: —

"1596. The XV th daye of Aprill Mr. Gawen Harvey the
youngest soonne of Mr. George Harvey 1 highe shreve of Essex
came to my house, & the xix 01 daye he & my nephewe Henry
Mildmay departed towardes Springfield in Essex.

The XI th (July) my cosen Alibaster came to my house.

The xiii day my cosen Alib. fatcbatur se esse papistam.

1601. On Saturday the viP of August my sister Mildmay,
my cosen Thomas her sonne, my cosen Browne & his wife,
came to my house & departed the xiii" 1 . The ix th day my sister
Alib. & my sister Veysye came to my house where fyve of us
that are bretheren & systers mette & made mery w ch we had
not doone in xvi yeres before. 9

1 Both father and son were afterwards knighted, and were known respectively as
Sir George Hervey and Sir Gawin Hervey of Marks Hall, Essex. In one of the old
almanacs, the death of tho father is thus noted : " Aug. 8, 1606, Sir George Harvy
Lieutcnt of y« Tower died, «t. 72." They were of the same stock with that of the
present Marquis of Bristol, as may be seen on the pedigree appended to the account
of the Hervey Family by my valued friend, the Venerable Lord Arthur Hervey, Arch-
deacon of Sudbury. — Proceedings of Suffolk Institute of Archa*AiHjy y vol. ii. No. 1.

2 Of the five brethren and sisters present on this occasion, Adam and his wife were
of course, two. The other three were his sisters Alice Mildmay, Bridget Alibaster,
and Mary, the wife of Abraham Veysye, of Ipswich

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 39

1603. The xxi 01 (Sep 1 :) my cosen Alibaster came to my
house & shewed me his pardon dated the X th of Septembre.

1604. The xiii day of August Sf Isaac Appulton came to
speake w 01 me. 1

1608. The iiii* (October) Sf Robert Crane sent his coche
for me my wyfe & my daught' Winthrop to dine with him at
Chilton.

1617. September 11. Mr. Egerton and Mr. Knewstub
pernoctabant nobiscum.*

1619. March 15. Sir Jo : Deane and my lady dined with
us. Mr. Pilgrime preached at B.

1620. August 26. Sir Tho. Savage sent half a bucke. 3

1621. March 4. Mrs. Clopton and Eliz. her daugh : dined
with us.

May 24. Sir Hen : Mildemay and his lady dined here."

The entries are often still more purely domestic, and
sometimes even ludicrously personal ; as for example : —

" 1597. The 22 day of Aprill Grymble my great mastiffe
waa hanged, a gentle dog in the howse but eyes oft blind.

1601. The 2 of Jan. M^ Mannockc sent me iii yardes of
Satten for a token of this nue yerc. 4

1603. The xi* of Aprill I & my wyfe did ride to Bock-
inge to the christeninge of my Cosen Firmins childe, who was
named Joseph.

1606. The viii th of Jan. father Smythe of Toppesfilde
came to me & brought me a fatt capon, & James Betts a bottle
of Secke. Also, M 118 Alston sent me a fatt goose & a bottle of
muskadine on nue yercs daye. 4

1 Four years later, the following entry is found : —

M 1608. The xiiij* of Sept. S* Isaac Appulton, knight, died at Little Waldingficld."

1 The names of Knewstubs and Egerton are found among the signers of " The Mil-
fentnr Petition" (subscribed by a thousand ministers), for a reformation of the church,
in 160M; which led to what is known as King James's version of the Bible, 1611.

1 Sir Thomas was of Melford Hall, where the venison is still noted for its fatness.
I wa» told, when I visited the Hall in July, 1859, that some of the deer had lately been
pwhised to stock one of the parks of the Emperor of the French.

4 New-Year's presents, it seems, did not wait until the 25th of March ; which was
&* beginning of the year, according to Old Style.

40 LIFE AND LETTERS

1608. The 1 of November my daughtf Fones' daughtf was
christened. Sf Rob? Crane & his Lady were present & she
was witnesse w m Mres. Sampson & Mres. Bronde & myselfe.
She named the childe Dorothey.

1610. The xiii th of June my Cosen Munnlnge & Mr. Mar-
cellyne were at my house, at w ch tyme I did give my Cosen a
Scotch dagger & Mr. Marcellyne a nue knyfe.

1622. May 4. My son rode to London ; barbam scidi.

July 21. I brused my shin.

August 10. Dies natalis mei A. W. sen r 1548, a&t 73.

October 17. My wife had two of her great teeth pulled
out."

A fair sample of all the varieties of memoranda has
thus been furnished ; and more of them may perhaps be
given in our Appendix, as supplying names and dates
which may be of interest, and even of importance, on
the other side of the ocean, if not on this.

Nor is there wanting in these ancient diaries an occa-
sional instance of the same fancy for rhyming, of which
we have already seen so considerable a specimen. Thus
the almanac for 1620, which seems to have been pre-
pared as a keepsake for John Winthrop the younger,
when he was a boy, and in which many of the entries
are made as if in his person, contains the following
inscription on the fly-leaf: —

" Nomine Johannes dictus, cognomine Winthrop,
Sum ; possessorcm quern vocat iste liber.

Though that y* Sun doth shine most bright
Yet dooth the Moone rule al the night.
The Starres also their course doe keepe,
When men are laide and faste doe sleepe.
But God alone dooth rule them all,
And by his woorde they rise and fall.
A. W. G."

It must be remembered, that Adam Winthrop, the-
grandfather, was more than threescore and ten years old

OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 41

when this was written; while the grandson, on whom
he evidently doted, was a boy of hardly more than
fourteen.

The first entry in this almanac, written in behalf of
the grandson, is the following: —

" 1619. Jan. 6. My cosin Henry Mildmay was baptized,
being 12 daies olde. The same day, Mr. Chaplin preaohed at
Boxforde."

This must have been the child to whom the birthday
verses were addressed. No doubt there was a grand
Twelfth-Night christening frolic at Graces, 1 at which the'
fond old grandfather figured largely as the poet-lau-
reate.

There is another volume extant, besides the old alma-
nacs, which also bears evidence to Adam Winthrop's
poetical turn, both in English and Latin; and which
contains abundant testimony, moreover, to his careful
reading and precise information. This is the work enti-
tled " A Perambulation of Kent, conteining the Descrip-
tion, Hystorie, and Customes of that Shyre : Written in
the year 1570, by William Lambarde of Lincolnes Inne,
Gent: first published in the yeere 1576, and now in-
creased and altered after the Author's own last copie.
Imprinted at London, by Edm. Bollifant, 1596." 2

The book is in the library of the Massachusetts His-
torical Society, with an inscription on the reverse of the

1 In the pariah of Baddow, near Chelmsford, Essex County, the seat of Sir Henry
Mfldmiy.

* In Adam's diary, at the end of the year 1597, he makes a special note, that he had
tat his Perambulation of Kent to Mr. Nicholson, the minister of Groton.

6

42 LITE AND LETTERS

fly-leaf, showing that it was given to Adam Winthrop
by his friend Mr. John Grimwade. On the reverse of
the titlepage, there is an elaborate Latin ode, in praise
of the author, in Adam's handwriting, and plainly of
his own composition. Having done his best to emulate
the Horatian measures, he concludes by quoting Horace
outright, as follows : —

" Dignum laude virum Musa vetat mori."

The book is dedicated to " the Eight Worshipfull and
vertuous Mr. Thomas Wotton Esquier;" and Wotton
himself appends to the dedication a most complimentary
recommendation of it " To his Countriemen, the Gentle-
men of the Countie of Kent." Whereupon our Adam
is moved to take up his pen again, and indite two more
Latin lines, which we spare our readers ; and then an
English stanza in honor of Wotton, written in what
seems to be a Saxon character, as follows: —

" Although this work great fame hath won
By Lambarde's learned skill,
Yet greater praise to it doth eome
Through Wotton's friendly quill."

Autograph notes and references by Adam Winthrop
are found in the margin of almost every page of this
ancient volume, and show great familiarity with other
books as well as with this. He seems particularly inter-
ested in schools ; and makes a special note, that " Mr.
William Lambe erected a free schoole at Sutton Valence
where he was borne, and appointed for y* M r 20 lb. and
for the Usher 10 lb. yerelye." Again he says, " A free
schoole in Tunnebridge, vide Stowe, in ano 5 Ed. 6."
On the blank leaves at the end of the volume is found,

OF JOHN WDTTHBOP. 43

in his largest and most careful hand, " A table of y*
Martyrs w° h suffered in Kent in the reigne of Queene
Mary," — fifty-seven in all. Sundry providential judg-
ments upon the persecutors are carefully noted, and
everywhere the spirit of the Reformation is clearly
indicated. 1

Many other interesting memorials of Adam Winthrop
are found among the family papers more recently disco-
vered; and, among them, a manuscript commonplace
book, containing an account of " the manner and order
of y* execution of y* late Queene of Scottes, mv* y*
wordes to* h she spake at hir deathe, truely sett downe
by Docto r Fletcher, Deane of Peterborowe," with an
original Latin ode on her death ; and also an account
of " The Confession & Execution of Sir Walter Raleighe,"
with the letter written to his wife the night before he
died. Both these accounts, as far as they go, seem to
be almost identical with those which have already found
their way into the authentic history of the 6ad events
which they describe; and they are only mentioned as
indicating the class of events to which Adam's common-
place book was devoted. Another little autograph book
contains a number of poetical versions into English of

1 In the libraiy of the Massachusetts Historical Society, there is also a little tract,
entitled "The Commendation of Cockes & Cockfighting: Wherein is shewed, that
Cockefighting was before the Coming of Christ," by George Wilson, 1607 ; which has
owny notes by Adam Winthrop, both in Latin and in English, in prose and in poetry.
In the same volume with this tract is bound up " The Infallible True & Assured Witch :
n The Second Edition of the Tryall of. Witchcraft, by John Cotta, Doctor in Physicke,
Ltt&tt, 1624/' There is reason for thinking that this Dr. Cotta was the husband of
Adam's sister Susanna, who is named in the old pedigree as D. Cottie. An old family
IDC Biorindum refers to the Cottie, or Cotta, who married Adam's sister, as having
written a book on witchcraft.

44 LIFE AND LETTERS

Henry Peacham's "Emblemata Selecta." Our readers
will willingly excuse the omission of such compositions as
these ; but they would not, perhaps, be as willing to spare
the following letters, which passed between the fond old
uncle and his loving niece, the Lady Mildmay, only a
year or two before his death, and which are found care-
fully copied into one of the same volumes. They belong
to the family history, and give a most agreeable impres-
sion of both parties to the correspondence.

The Lady Mildmay to Adam Winthrop.

"Lovtnge Uncle, my longc silence in not testlficnge my
thanckefulnes for yof kinde letters, and those good bookes, w* h I
then received from you, may give you iust cause to thincke mee
unmyndfull of yo* love : and so all yof kindnes bestowed on mee
buried in forgetfulness. I doe nowe with the acknowledginge
of my faulte herein crave pardon ; assuringe you, good uncle,
that my illnesse, some good time before my deliverance, was
the grcate cause of my silence. God hath bin wonderfull mer-
ciful! unto mee, not onlie in givinge mee safe deliverance, but
also in restoringe me to somme strengthe again : so as I have
good hope to see you ere longe. Desiringe still the continu-
ance of yo* good praiers for yo* nephew, my sclfe and all
ours ; that God woulde more enlighten of hartes with the
knowledge of his will, and give us more sinceritie in the per-
formance of it. Thus good uncle w* myne & Mf Mildmaies
love remembred unto yof selfe & my Aunt, I committe you to
God, & to the worde of his grace, Desiringe him to multiplie
his favours uppon yof selfe & familie ; to whose protection I
commende you, & will reste ever yours in all love,

"Amy Mildmay.

" ffrom Graces

the XXX* of August, 1621."

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 45

Adam Winthrop to the Lady Mildmay.

" Most lovtnge neece most worthie to be loved and honored
alwaies by mee —
"I received pure honye, and not bare wordes in the letter
w* you sente unto mee. The swcetnes whereof dothe so de-
light mee, that I shall never forget the remembrance of yo'love
therein expressed. I knowe not howe to value the price thereof
beinge so effectuallie & lovinglie shewed : but to recompence it
w°* the like (thoughe I gladely woulde) I finde my selfe not able,
ffor you have ministered unto me a nue occasion to augment
my desire to love you, & to admire those excellent giftcs &
graces of wisdome & learninge, w** I nowe plainelie see to bee
in you. Wherefore I thincke myselfc happie to inioye yof love,
and acknowledge it for a great blessinge that you vouchsafe to
thincke me worthie of it. The w ch I doe faithfullie vowe by all
meanes to preserve and maintaine so long as we live together
in this transitory life." (Adam Winthrop.)

The Lady Mildmay to Adam Winthrop.

"24 of November, 1621.

"Worthy uncle, If my meanes couldc in any measure
equall the height of my desire, I shoulde be studious to expresse
myeelfe reallie thanckfull for the greate respecte w° h I have
alwaies founde in yo r selfe & familie : I praie God give mee
grace to walke woorthie of yof Love ; w° h I have founde so con-
stant, as I have greatlie marvailed why you shoulde bestowe
80 great Love of one of so smale merite. It is God his mercie
rctfo me, to whom I doe desire to be thanckefull as the first, &
t° yo! selfe as the seconde. As for many, so this last token of
Jtf great love unto me, w ch I cannot any waie requight, neither
we woorde8 of force to discharge so great a dctt, as I doe, &
ever will acknowledge deservedly due unto you. And although,
g°od uncle, I do not saie, have patience & I will paie, yet I

46 LIFE AND LETTERS

doe desire that in yo* Love you woulde be pleased to acceptc of
this verball acknowledgement, till a more actuall performance
discharge somme parte of y* w ch I owe. I have read w 01 great
comforte a true description of the gratious life and blessed
deathe of yof woorthic sister. 1 I doute not but her praires
have, and will be effectuall to drawe goddes blessinges uppon her
po8teritie : I praie God perfitt his woorke of grace, where it is
begunne in any of us : that wee maye walke as shee hathe given
us an example. Thus, good uncle, fearinge my scribblinge
lynes wilbe troublesome in the readinge, w* my best affection
I commit you to God : Desiring him to continue his aboundant
grace unto you ; that you may bee as the light that shyneth
more unto the perfitt daie : To whose protection I commit o*
soules : & rest ever, yof lovinge thoughe unwoorthie neece,

" Amy Mildmay. w

Adam Winthrop to the Lady Mildmay.

"Most Kdtoe Ladie, Yof sweete lettres cominge from
the aboundancc of yof Love, were ioyefully received into the
closet of my best affections, (though nowe furred w to age &
no suitable harboure for suche a gueste.) The ioye thereof
hath at length quickned me up to this slender testimony of my
highe esteeme of yof love, & my true desire to nourishe the
same. Alas (good Ladie) can there any lovelye thinge appeare
to you in so crazed a bodie & mynde, that beinge a burden to
itselfe, accounts it great honor from the Lorde not to be
offensive to my friends, nor despised of my betters : but to bee
of such price (as you please to have mee) in a trulie noble &
woorthie brest, would revive my conceite to some highe pitche
of myne owne worthe, but that the continual sense of my
infirmities holdes me still in my right temper. Beinge nowe
warned by age to expecte my change daylie, I seeke the more to
withdrawe my thoughts from other things, that I maie more
seriouslie intende my preparations for it ; as the most needeful

1 I know not who this sister could have been, unless the Lady Tyndall, the mother
of his son's third wife, were so called. But she had died July 20, 1620.

OF JOHN WlflTHKOP. 47

etudie for all ; especially for mee, whose time of dissolution is
even at hande. Yet so longe as life and light upholde this
hearte, I shall not cease to be myndefull of yof Love ; & (as
my last & best meanes of requitall) laboure to laye up w th the
Lorde some pore blessinge of praier, w ch may be remembred
upon you & yours, for yof best wellfare, when I shall sleep
with my fathers." (Adam Winthrop.)

On the 16th of December, 1574, this Adam Winthrop
married Alice Still, daughter of William Still, of Gran-
tham, Lincolnshire, and sister of Dr. John Still, then
Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1 and afterwards
Bishop of Bath and Wells. She and her first-born
child died 24th December, 1577 ; and were buried
together in Hadley Church. The old Latin pedigree
adds, Protinus ceterno mittit utrumque Deo. Adam's
diary shows that his relations to the bishop continued
to be intimate as long as they both lived, frequent letters
passing between them, and frequent visits being inter-
changed by their children; and the name of Still has
been preserved in the Winthrop Family, in memory of
this connection, for many succeeding generations.

On the 20th February, 1579, Adam Winthrop married,
for his second wife, Anne, the daughter of Henry Browne
of Edwardston, clothier. We know little of this Henry
Browne, except his occupation and the date of his death,
which is thus noted in Adam's diary for the year
1596: —

11 The viii th day of January being Saterday my father Henry

■■ — — '*

( x The first wife of Bishop Still was Anne, daughter of Thomas Alabaster of Had-
bigfai in the county of Suffolk. She died 15th April, 1698. Roger Alabaster, who
mtrf i«d Adam Winthrop's sister Bridget, was a nephew of Anne. The families were
th* doubly connected.— EisL of Hadkigh; Proceedings of Suff. Inst, of Archaeology
^ fit, No. 1, p. 140.

48 LIFE AND LETTERS

Browne died at the age of 76 yeres & was buried in PrittJe-
well Church in Essex." l

•A little note of his to Adam Winthrop is found
among the family papers, showing a good handwriting,
and concluding with the following postscript, which
proves that he was interested in other things besides
clothmaking: "I praye you send me my boke of
Marters." 2 Another little scrap of his writing is still
more significant : " Christ toke not o r nature upon hym
to be a patrone to y 6 carver or paynter : he denied that
he came to breake the law & the prophets : & the law &
prophetes forbyd ymages."

Of his wife Agnes, not even the maiden name has
come down to us ; but the old Latin pedigree says that
she died Dec. 17, 1590, and speaks of her as a woman
"whose heart acknowledged Christ as its master." 8
A pleasant impression of their daughter Anne, who
had now become the wife of Adam Winthrop, will be
derived from the following letter to her husband, written
to him at London, doubtless soon after their marriage,
as it mentions no children. It exhibits her as an indus-
trious and devoted wife, after the pattern which is fur-
nished us in the Book of Proverbs : " She seeketh wool
and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands." Her
anxiety to have her Bible sent to her shows that she

1 Adam Winthrop' 8 account-book contains a note of all the legacies he paid as execu-
tor of Henry Browne, amounting to £297. Among them is one of £50 to John Speede,
who is called a grandson of the testator. This may possibly have been the historian.

9 " The Book of Martyrs became, next to the Bible, the book most loved and trea-
sured in the homes of Protestant England. " — Our English Home, Oxford, 1860, p. 178.
Foxe's " Acts and Monuments of the Church, or Book of MartyTS," was first published
in England in 1563.

8 .Agnes , the wife of Henry Browne, died 17th December, 1690: Fcemina qua

Christum corde gtrtbal herum.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 49

knew how to value its examples and its precepts ; and
the little French postscript, in which she repeats her
request that it may be returned to her as soon as possi-
ble by the wagoner, and speaks of it as a French Bible,

indicates that she was familiar with at least one language

besides her own.

Anne Winthrop to her Husband.

" I have reseyved, (Right deare and well-beloved) from you
this week a letter, though short , yet very sweete, which gave
me a lyvely tast of those sweete & comfortable wordes, whiche
alwayes when you be present with me, are wont to flowe most
aboundantlye from your loving hart, — whercbye I perseyve
that whether you be present with me, or absent from me, you
are ever one towardes me, & your hart rcmayneth all way es
with me. Wherefore layinge up this perswasion of you in my
brest, I will most assuredlye, the Lord assistynge me by his
grace, beare alwayes the lyke loving hart unto you agayne,
untyll suche tyme as I may more fully enioye your loving pre-
sence : but in the meane tyme I will remayne as one having a
great inheritaunce, or riche treasure, and it beinge by force
kept from him, or hee beinge in a strange Contrey, and cannot
enioye it ; longethe contynually after it, sighinge and sorrow-
inge that hee is so long berefte of it, yet reioyseth that hee
hathe so greatt tresure pertayninge to him, and hopeth that
one daye the tyme will come that hee shall inioye it, and have
the wholle benyfytt of it. So I having a good hoope of the
tyme to com, doe more paciently beare the time present, and I
piaye send me word if you be in helthe and what sucsese you
have with your letters. I sent to Cokynes ( ?) for the capones
and they are not yet fate, as soon as they be redye I will send
them. I send you this weke by my fathers man a shyrte and
fyve payer of hoses. I pray sell all thes, if ye wold any for
jour owne werying I haue mor a knyttynge. I pray send me a

7

50 LIFE AND LETTERS

pound of starche by my fathers man. You may "very well
send my byble if it be redye — thus with my verye hartye com-
endacions I byd you farewell Comittinge you to almightye God
to whome I commend you in my daylye prayers as I am sure
you doe me, the Lord kep us now & ever Amen.

" Your loving wife « Anne Winthroppe.

" Je vous rende grace de la bien souvenance que vous avez
de moy bible francois, Je vous prie de Tenvoyer en br6f par
le Roulllier.

" If my brother Wintropp be at Londone I pray forgett not
to saye my very hartye Comendacions unto him."

By this second wife, Adam had five children. Four
of them were daughters, as follows : —

Anne, born Jan. 5, 1580-1 ; died Jan. 20, 1580-1. r

Anne, born Jan. 16, 1585-6; married Thomas Fones, 1 Feb. 25,
1604r-5 ; died May 16, 1618.

Jane, baptized June 17, 1592 ; married Thomas Goatling, 9 Jan. 5,
1612.

Lucy, born Jan. 9, 1600-1 ; married Emanuel Downing, 8 April 10,
1622.

Two years after the birth of the second of these

1 An ancient pedigree of the Fones Family goes back six generations behind Thomas
to " W- Fownes of Saxbie, Esq.," who married a daughter of " S' Rob 1 . Hyelton, kt: "
Thomas is styled " Citizen & Apothecary of London."

2 Goatling, or Gostlyn, was a clothier of Suffolk County.

8 Emanuel Downing was a lawyer of the Inner Temple, London ; and afterwards,
for many years, a resident in New England. He had married for his first wife a daughter
of Sir James Ware, the father of that learned Sir James Ware who has been styled the
Camden of Ireland. By her he had several children. The first child of his second
marriage (with Lucy Winthrop) was the somewhat celebrated Sir George Downing,
who was of the first class of graduates at Harvard College (1642), and whose diplomatic
services under both Cromwell and Charles II. are too well known to history to require
further allusion. One of Sir George's sisters was the second wife of Governor Simon
Bradstreet Another (Mary) married Thomas Barnardiston, of the old knightly family
of Barnardistons at Kedington, Suffolk County, England. The death of their son,
without issue, secured the endowment of Downing College.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 51

daughters, and under the date of 1587, the following
record is found in the very words of the happy father : —

" John, the only sonne of Adam Winthrop and Anne his
wife, was borne in Edwardston abovesaid on Thursday about
5 of the clocke in the morning the 12 daie of January anno
1587 in the 30 yere of the reigne of Qu : Eliza : "

Edwardston has already been mentioned as a little
Tillage in Suffolk County, immediately adjoining Groton.
The mother had probably gone there to pay a visit to
her parents. Or perhaps Adam Winthrop may have
had a country residence there, before he came into pos-
session of the Groton estate.

52 LITE AND LETTEBS

CHAPTER IV.

BERTH AND EARLY YEARS OF JOHN WINTHROP. HIS EDUCATION
AND FIRST MARRIAGE.

John Winthrop, who came to America in 1630 as
Governor of Massachusetts, was born, as we have seen,
at Edwardston, near the family seat at Grotoh, in the
county of Suffolk, England, on the twelfth day of Janu-
ary, 1587, old style ; or, as we now should register it, on
the twenty-second day of January, 1588. It may help
to fix the period more distinctly in our minds, if we
remember that less than a year had elapsed since the
tragical death of Mary, Queen of Scots ; and that, before
another year should pass away, the grand Spanish Armada
would be hovering on the coast of England. He was the
only son of Adam Winthrop, the third of that name, and
Anne Browne, of Edwardston ; and the particularity
with which his birth is recorded — the precise day of
the week, and even the precise hour of the day — might
almost seem like the prognostication of a more than
ordinary career. But the record ends here, and we
have no details of his childhood. His parents lived
until within a few years of his coming over to New
England, the mother dying only a twelvemonth before
his embarkation ; and with the exception of a few
years of his married life, and of such absences from
home as his education or his professional pursuits may

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 53

have occasioned, he appears to have resided generally
with them at Groton Manor.

The domestic incidents which have been gleaned from
the old diary and almanacs of his father, in the pre-
vious chapter, will have given a sufficient idea of the
influences and associations which attended his boyhood.
His home was plainly the scene of a liberal hospitality,
where he must not only have had the affectionate super-
vision of intelligent and well-informed parents, but
where he must have enjoyed the advantage of the best #
social intercourse which the neighborhood afforded. The
judges and lawyers on their circuits, and the ministers
of the adjoining parishes in Suffolk and in Essex on
their occasional exchanges, besides the numerous lead-
ing characters of the county with whom the family was
connected or acquainted, were evidently the frequent
and welcome visitors of Groton Manor. An ancient
plan of the manor-house has been preserved, — taken,
perhaps, as a souvenir of scenes that were to be left for
ever, — and its hall and great parlor, its pantry and buttery
and bake-house and brewing-house, bespeak an ample
provision and accommodation for many more than its
regular inmates. The old Bible of Adam Winthrop,
too, is still extant ; from which, though of too late an
imprint to have been the companion of his childhood,
the son may have acquired something of that familiarity
*ith the sacred text, which is so marked a feature at
once of the private correspondence and of the public
discourse of his mature manhood. 1

1 This Bible is now in the 'valuable collection of George Livennore, Esq., of
frtobridge; who procured it from the library of the late Rev. Dr. Homer, of Newton; .

54 LIFE AND LETTERS

There is ample evidence, in his life and writings, that
he must have enjoyed a good education ; but we know
not at what schools it was commenced, nor how far it was
prosecuted beneath the paternal roof. As his name had
never been discovered upon the records of either of the
great universities of England, it has naturally been taken
for granted that he was never a student at either of
them. At least one of his descendants, however, had
long ago been led to doubt the correctness of this conclu-
sion. We remembered to have seen in Gilford's " Me-
moirs of Ben Jonson," that no note of that great poet's
matriculation was to be found at Cambridge ; and that,
by some accident, there had been an omission of names in
the University Register from June, 1589, to June, 1602. 1
Now, in June, 1602, Winthrop would have been far
advanced in his fifteenth year ; and, from the history of
his subsequent career, we had considered it by no means
impossible that he might- have completed a longer or
shorter collegiate course even at that early age. Lord
Campbell, in his " Life of Sir Edward Coke," says that
the sixteenth year was a late age for entering the univer-
sity, according to the custom of that time ; and Lord
Macaulay has reminded us, in one of his masterly
essays, that Bacon entered Trinity College, Cambridge,

to whom it was probably given by the late Hon. William Winthrop, of Cambridge. It
is the quarto copy of King James's Bible. The Old Testament bears date 1614; and
the New Testament, 1615. It is bound up with the Book of Common Prayer, printed
in 1615; with the Genealogies recorded in Scripture, by John Speed, 1619; and with
Sternhold and Hopkins's version of the Psalms, 1618. A careful list of the books of
the Old and New Testament is found on the reverse of the titlepage, in the unmis-
takable hand of Adam Winthrop.

1 The statement was confirmed by the Rev. Joseph Romilly, M.A., the Registrar of
the University.

OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 55

in his thirteenth year, and left it in his sixteenth. Win-
throp's friend John Cotton, our Boston minister, was at
Trinity College, Cambridge, at thirteen years of age;
Shakspeare's friend, the Earl of Southampton, entered
Cambridge University at twelve; and Isaac Walton's
Dr. Donne entered Oxford in his eleventh year.

We had seen, moreover, an account of John Win-
throp's " Christian Experience," drawn up by himself,
and signed with his own hand, in New England, on the
forty-ninth anniversary of his birthday (1636-7), in which
he expressly alludes to his having been at Cambridge
"about fourteen years of age." He does not say that
he was at the university ; but he speaks of having fallen
into a lingering fever at Cambridge at that age : and it
was iiot altogether easy to conjecture for what purpose
his parents could have sent him there, at that early
period of his life, except in order to pursue his studies.
On the whole, we were not without some confidence in
the opinion, that he had derived a part of his education,
at least, from that venerable institution in Old England,
whose name and image were destined, under his own
auspices and by the bounty of another of her undoubted
children, — the ever-memorable John Harvard, — to be
so soon and so successfully reproduced in New England. 1
Our readers, we are sure, will share with us in the satis-
faction we experienced, when, after this opinion and
the grounds of it were already in type, the following
entry revealed itself to us in the old diary of Adam
Winthrop : —

1 The foundation of our New-England Cambridge University dates* back to 1636.
IU endowment by John Harvard, whose name it bears, was only two years later.

56 LIFE AND LETTERS

" 1602. The 2* of December I rode to Cambridge. The
viii th day John my soonne was admitted into Trinitie Col-
lege." 1

We shall presently sec how long he remained at the
university, and under what circumstances he left it.
Meantime, we must not omit the brief account of his
earlier years, which he has furnished in the " Christian
Experience," to which reference has just been made. It
gives us the idea of a very precocious youth, with a
strange mixture of wildness and sobriety in his compo-
sition ; manifesting at one moment a strong tendency
towards religion, and at the next an equally strong sus-
ceptibility to worldly temptations. His language must
undoubtedly be taken with some grains of allowance for
the peculiar phraseology and forms of expression Xvhich
belonged to the times in which it was written, and also
for that spirit of unsparing self-examination and self-
accusation which was characteristic of all the Puritan
leaders. Rut it shall speak for itself: —

44 In my youth," says he, "I was very lewdly disposed;
inclining unto and attempting (so far as my heart enabled me)
all kinds of wickedness, except swearing and scorning religion,
which I had no temptation unto in regard of my education.
About ten years of age, I had some notions of God : for, in
some frighting or danger, I have prayed unto God, and found
manifest answer ; the remembrance whereof, many years after,
made me think that God did love me ; hut it made me no whit
the better. After I was twelve years old, I began to have some
more savor of religion : and I thought I had more understand-

1 The date of this admi^inn, it will be perceived, is i*ix month* later than the
period coveted hy (iitFnrd'* Htatement; hut I learn from Mr. Komilly that there u no
adrai««ion-bi>ok earlier than 10*20.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 57

ing in divinity than many of my years ; for, in reading of some
good books, I conceived that I did know divers of those points
before, though I knew not how I should come by such know-
ledge ; (but, since, I perceived it was out of some logical princi-
ples, whereby out of some things I could conclude others.)
Yet I was still very wild and dissolute ; and, as years came on,
my lusts grew stronger, but yet under some restraint of my
natural reason, whereby I had that command of myself, that I
could turn into any form. I would, as occasion required, write
letters, &c., of mere vanity; and, if occasion was, I could
write savoury and godly counsel.

" About fourteen years of age, being in Cambridge, I fell
into a lingering fever, which took away the comforts of my life :
for, being there neglected and despised, I went up and down
mourning with myself; and, being deprived of my youthful
joys, I betook myself to God, whom I did believe to be very
good and merciful, and would welcome any that would come
to him, especially such a young soul, and so well qualified as I
took myself to be ; so as I took pleasure in drawing near to him."

One would think that a child, who at ten years of age
prayed unto God in moments of fright or danger, and
u found manifest answer" to his prayer; and who at
twelve years of age " began to have more savor of reli-
gion" and, in reading good books, discovered that he
had " more understanding in divinity " than many of his
years, — was in a pretty hopeful way. But as John
Winthrop, in his mature manhood, in his wilderness
tttieat, and from that lofty eminence of personal purity
and piety on which he had now planted himself, looked
back over the course of his life, and found so little to
ttproach himself with except the follies and frailties of
childhood, he seems to have been impelled to magnify
even* youthful peccadillo to the full measure of a deadly

58 LIFE AND LETTERS

sin, in order that there might be something on which to
exercise the cherished graces of confession, humiliation,
and self-abasement. It may be, however, that he really
was as wild a lad as his words would seem to imply, and
that the corruptions of his youth weighed heavily on
his conscience in later years.

Suffice it to say, that we hear of his juvenile delin-
quencies from nobody but himself^ No trace of parental
rebuke, or even anxiety, can be found in the diary or
letters of his father. On the other hand, it is matter of
tradition, that he was made a justice of the peace at the
age of eighteen years, and that, very early in life, he
was exemplary for his polite as well as grave and
Christian deportment. 1 He certainly lost no time in
giving what Lord Bacon calls "hostages to fortune.;"
for, at the age of seventeen years and three months,
we find him a husband, and, soon after he was eighteen,
a father. The following entries in his father's diary
seem to prove that he was in attendance on the college-
terms for about eighteen months after his admission : —

" 1602. The 2 of Marche my soonne went to Cambrige.

1603. The 23 th of July my soonne came from Cambrige.
The x th [February] my sonne went to Cambrige.

1604. The xxiiii th of Aprill my sonne retourned from
Cambridge.

The xxvii" 1 (July) my sonne did ride to Cambridge."

These are the only references, in Adam's diary, to his
son's connections with the University ; and they are
soon succeeded by the following: —

1 Mather' 8 Magnalia, b. ii. ch. iv. ; Hutchinson's History- of Massachusetts, vol. L
p. 21, note.

OF JOHN WJLNTHKOP. 59

<<

1604. The V th of Novembre my soonne did ryde into
Essex w* Willm Forth to Great Stambridge.

1605. The xxvi th of Marche I & my soonne did ride to Mr.
John Foorthes of Great Stambrige in Essex.

The xxviii th day my soonne was sollemly contracted to Mary
Foorth by Mr. Culverwell minister of Greatc Stambridge in
Essex cum consensu pa ten turn.

The IX th (Aprill) my sonne did ryde into Essex.

The XVI th of Aprill he was married at Great Stambridge by
Mr. Culverwell, jEtatis sua 17 [aunts'] 3 mensibus et 4 diebus
completis.

The Tm^ of May my soonne & his wife came to Groton
from London, and the ix m I made a marriage feaste when Sr
Thomas Mildmay & his lady my sister were present. The
same day my sister Veysye came to me, & departed on the 24 th
of Maye. My dawter Fones came the viii" 1 of May & departed
home the xxiii* of Maye."

And thus we have the whole story of the courtship,
(he wedding, and the honeymoon, — the journey to
London, the family gathering at Groton, and the
marriage-feast at the manor.

It was undoubtedly this early marriage which brought
his college-life so prematurely to a close. The serious
Alness at Cambridge, to which he alludes in his " Chris-
tian Experience," may perhaps have broken up his
studies, and discouraged him from pursuing them further ;
tut, so far as the record runs, the charms of Mary
Forth must be held responsible for his failure to obtain
* degree. She was the daughter and sole heir of
John Forth, Esq., of Great Stambridge, 1 in the county

1 Mr. Savage gives the authority of Sir Charles George Young, Garter King at
An*, for itating John Forth to have been of Stondon ; but Adam's diary, and his old
i and the Latin pedigree, call it expressly Great Stambridge.

60 LIFE AND LETTERS

of Essex. John was the sixth son of William Forth, of
Hadleigh and Butley Abbey or Priory, in Suffolk ; and
was connected with many ancient and distinguished
families. William's wife, the grandmother of Mary,
was a Powell of Wales ; and a long Welsh pedigree is
still extant, duly emblazoned with all the empalements
and quarterings, tracing her back, through twelve gene-
rations of Ap Howells and Vaughans and Gwarinddys
and Broadspeares, to Godwyn of Cornwall. The mother

of Maxy Forth was Thomasine, the only child of

Hilles, in the county of Essex. Her uncle, Kobert
Forth, was high-sheriff of Suffolk County in 1569 ; and
his second son, William, was knighted at Greenwich,
3d July, 1604. Her own immediate family was a
wealthy one ; and she brought to her husband " a large
portion of outward estate."

Besides other blessings resulting from this marriage,
Winthrop, in his "Christian Experience" of 1636-7,
attributes to the associations to which it introduced him
a high degree of spiritual improvement, if rather it
should not be called a complete and radical change of
heart and life.

" About eighteen years of age," he says, " being a man hi
stature and understanding, as my parents conceived me, I
married into a family under Mr. Culverwell his ministry in
Essex ; and, living there sometimes, I first found the ministry
of the word come home to my heart with power (for in all
before I found only light) : and, after that, I found the like in
the ministry of many others ; so as there began to be some
change ; which I perceived in myself, and others took notice
of. Now I began to come under strong exercises of conscience
(yet by fits only) : I could no longer dally with religion. God

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 61

put my soule to sad tasks sometimes, which yet the flesh would
shake off and outwear still. I had, withal, many sweet invita-
tions ; which I would willingly have entertained, but the flesh
would not give up her interest. The merciful Lord would not
thus be answered; but notwithstanding all my stubbornnesse,
and unkind rejections of mercy, hee left mee not till he had
overcome my heart to give up itself unto him, and to bid fare-
well to all the world, and until my heart could answer, * Lord I
what wilt thou have me to do ? '

* * Now came I to some peace and comfort in God and in.
his wayes : my chief delight was therein. I loved a Christian,
and the very ground hee went upon. I honoured a faithful
minister in my heart, and could have kissed his feet. Now I
grew full of zeal (which outranne my knowledge, and carried
mee sometimes beyond my calling), and very liberall to any
good work. I had an unsatiable thirst after the word of God ;
and could not misse a good sermon, though many miles off,
especially of such as did search deep into the conscience."

We know nothing of Mr. Culverwell but his name,

and that only from this ancient confession of Winthrop's ;

but the humble village-curate, to whose faithful ministry *

the father of the Massachusetts Colony has thus traced

his earliest and strongest impressions of the power of the

word, may well be considered to have earned a title to

remembrance which many a lordly prelate of his day

might have envied. 1

Of the life and fortunes of Winthrop for the next ten
or twelve years, but few details have survived, and those of

1 Hi* name, as we shall find by one or two of his letters given hereafter, was
fc*kid; and Allibone, in his invaluable Dictionary of Authors, makes him the author
tf •mral religions treatises. He may have been the father of Nathaniel Culverwell,
"Muter of Arts, and lately fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge," who wrote the
"Hegsnt and Learned Discourse of the Light of Nature," &c. London, 1652. This
volume is in the library of my friend Charles Deane, Esq., of our Cambridge.

62 LIFE AND LETTERS

a purely domestic character. The only important entries
relating to him in his father's diary are the following : —

" 1608. The X th of October my soonne & his wyfe departed
from Groton to dwell at Stambridge in Essex.

1609. The ad* of August my soonne was taken w* a
fierce ague, and the xviij 1 * I ridde to Stambridge to see him
& returned the xxii 01 .

The XXV th (October) my soonne kept his first Court at Gro-
ton Hall, where a Eecouery was sued against Ed. Hobison."

This holding of his "first Court at Groton Hall" in
October, 1609, was doubtless in consequence of his
having attained his majority in the early part of that
year. It might seem to indicate, also, that he had
returned to reside at Groton, and perhaps that he had
already become Lord of the Manor. But his father's
diary comes to an end soon after this date ; and we have
no means of deciding these questions. We incline, how-
ever, to the opinion, that he continued to make Stam-
bridge his principal place of abode for several years
longer, — perhaps until the death of his father-in-law
Forth in 1613.

The wife of his youth bore him six children ; the eld-
est of whom (born at Groton on the twelfth, or, as we
should now style it, on the twenty-second day of Febru-
ary, 1606) is known to history as John Winthrop, the
Governor of Connecticut, "the heir of all his father's
talents, prudence, and virtues, with a superior share of
human learning." 1 We shall find frequent occasion to

1 Savage (" History of New England/' vol. i. p. 64, note), unconsciously, perhaps,
translating Cicero, who says of a son of P. African us, Adpaternam enim magnitodmem
animi doctrina vberior acceueraL

OP JOHN WLNTHKOP. 63

mention him in this volume, though he might fitly become
the subject of a separate memoir. Of the other children,
two were sons, — Henry * and Forth, 2 — of whom we shall
see something as we proceed. Of the three daughters,
two were named Anne, and are shown, by the parish-
register at Groton, to have died successively in their
earliest infancy ; while Mary, the eldest, lived to come to
America, and was married (about the year 1632) to the
Rev. Samuel Dudley, son of Governor Thomas Dud-
ley. 8

Within eleven years after her own marriage, Mary
Forth, the mother of these children, died, and was
buried in the family tomb at Groton, 26th June, 1615. 4
So soon and so sadly was the first chapter of John Win-
throp's domestic history brought to a close. He was then
not yet twenty-eight years of age, and the oldest of his
children was little more than nine. We need but to turn
the page to find that other and not less bitter bereave-
ments awaited him at too early a day.

Before turning that page, however, we may here find
an appropriate place for such passages from an old auto-
graph manuscript of Winthrop's as relate to this first
period of his life, and as may exhibit still more clearly
the early development of his moral and religious cha-

1 u 1607. The xx* of Jan. my soonnes second sonne Henry was christened at Gro-
ton- Mr. Sands & my h. Snelling were his godfathers." — Adam's Diary.

1 M 1609. The xxx* day of Decemb'. my Sonne's third sonne was borne at Stam-
t*^ in Essex." — Ibid.

1 She died 12th April, 1648 ; having had four children, at least two of whom survived
her.

4 "Mary Forthe, the wife of John Winthrop, was borne on Wednesday, the first day
'unary, A£o 1583." She was thus four years older than her husband.

64 LIFE AND LETTERS

racter. He was a man who evidently, from his youth
upwards, held much communion with his own conscience,
and frequently employed his pen in making record of its
rebukes and compunctions. We have already given
extracts from his " Christian Experience," written in
1636-7; and we shall have further occasion to refer to
i it hereafter. But a much earlier " Experience " has
recently come to light, dating from the first week in
February, 1606, — soon after the commencement of his
married life, and within a few days of the birth of his
eldest son. It is an imperfect manuscript, stained and
torn in many places, and quite illegible in others ; many
pages missing and many passages effaced, and plainly
intended for no eye but his own. It may be doubted,
indeed, whether any eye but his own has ever carefully
perused it until now. But no one, we think, will regret
that some parts of it have escaped the ravages of time.
It begins as follows: —

" Experdencia a 2 February : 1606. 1

"" Worldly cares thoughe not in any grosse manner outward-
ly, yet seacreatly, togither w* a seacret desire after plesures &
itchinge after libertie & unlawfull delightes, had brought me to
waxe wearie of good duties and so to forsake my first love,
whence came muche troble & danger.

" Then in that time, having not perfect peace v?* 1 God, but
throughe the perswasio of the enimie, distrustfulness beganne
to arise, whenas the Lordc sent but a smale triall, my wife but
beinge taken w 01 a fitt of an ague, myselfc beinge not prepared
w tt a peaceable conscience, it did much harme me, whereuppon
I promised to be prepared better.

1 He was, at this date, but eighteen yean of age.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 65

" Beingc in this trobble I was wholy unable to raise up my
selfe, neither could I pray a great while, yet at length I desired
the Lorde & he herde me, so as uppon the cofessio of my sinnes,
w^ I did vr** much coforte, I found mercic & grace to amende.

" In that weeke that my wife was dclivred, by reason of the
present occasion & of an ague w** I had taken, I gave myself
to negligence and idlenesse w ch I could not shake off a good
while after : it also brought w th it may other sinnes as caringe
for this worldc etc., & one morninge a great fitt of impatience,
for matter betwixt my wife & my mother, w * 1 pray God for-
give me.

"Where there is not a reverend trebling at the coiiiittinge
of smale sines & those but in thoughte or worde, there is no
feare of God, & where there is no feare there is no faithe :
therefore marke this.

" It is wonderfull how the omissio of the leaste dutie, or com-
isrio of evill, will quench grace & estrange us from the love of
God.

"Feb: 8. I foundc that on Saterday in the aflfternoone
deferringe readinge & prayer til 3 of the clocke, for the per-
forminge of a needelessc worke, my herte was verie muche
unsettled.

" On Suday beinge the 9 of March : beinge at sermo at
Groton, I let in but a thought of my iornie into Essex, but
rtnut it delighted me, & beinge not verie carefull of my heart,
I was suddainely, I knowe not how, so possessd w* the worlde,
** I was led into one sinne after an other, and could hardely
wcover my selfe, till taking myselfe to prayer before I was too
fcne gonne, I found mercie. •

"The 20 of Aprill, 1606, I made a new Covenant w* the
lorde w° h was this :

" Of my part, that I would reforme thesse sinnes by his
pace, pride, covetousnesse, love of this worlde, vanitie of minde,
Mhaakfulnesse, slouth, both in his service & in my callinge,

9

66 LIFE AND LETTEB8

not preparinge myselfe vr** reverence and uprightnesse to come
to his word : Of the Lords part that he would give me a new
heart, joy in his spirit, that he would dwell w to me, that he
would strengthen me against the world, the fleshe, & yf Divell,
that he would forgive my sinnes and increase my faith.

" God give me grace to performe my promise & I doubt not
but he will performs his. God make it fruitfull. Amen."

After this introduction, there follows a little catalogue
of " sinnes," running through many days of many months,
registered as in an account-current against himself, but
written partly in cipher, and with so many abbreviations
and secret signs as to be quite unintelligible to any eye
but his own. Turning in despair from this private con-
fession, we find no difficulty in deciphering the following
pleasant testimony to the character of his wife : —

".Decembre 12. It must be only God that must worke in
the hearte, as by this experience ; — when I used the best
meanes I was able to perswade my wife etc., & that when I had
the best spirit, yet I could not prevaile not so muche as to
make hir to answeare me or to talke w th me about any good-
ncsse ; but yet one time when I did but only aske a questio,
by the way as it were, & that when there were many thinges
w° h justly made me feare a repulse, yet it pleased God even
then to so open hir hearte as that she became very rcadie and
willinge to lay open hir hearte to me in a very comfortable
measure ; whereby I see that Praier must do it, if ever any
good be <Jone, for I had praied often to God in that matter :
and she proved after a right godly woman."

The last line of this passage was evidently written
with different ink and at a different period from that
which precedes it. It may have been added after death

OP JOIIN WINTHKOP. 67

had sealed the account between him and his first wife,
and as a final tribute to her virtues. It is the only testi-
mony which remains to the character of Mary Forth.
One little note of hers is left among the old family papers,
addressed to her " sweet husband ; " and ending, <f your
loving wife until death : " but it relates wholly to the pro-
curing of a new serving-maid, and has nothing in it wor-
thy of preservation. Its only interest is derived from its
being indorsed by her son, Governor Winthrop of Con-
necticut, as having been "written by Mrs. Mary Win-
throp, wife to John Winthrop, Esq., sometymes Governor
of New England." The son seems to have saved it, as
the only memorial of his mother. His own noble cha-
racter and conduct, as we shall see them hereafter deve-
loped, are the best evidence of her having been a good
and godly parent as long as she was spared to her
children.

A Jittle further along, we find a passage unquestionably
written after much that follows it, and intended for* his
own warning as to some of the resolutions and experi-
ences which he had previously recorded. It may be not
less useful to those who would construe his confessions
justly, and it is given here with that view: —

"In these following Experiences there be diverse vowes,
promises to God, or Resolutions & purposes of my heart,
occasioned throughe the ofte experience of my weaknesse in
such things, & my great desire of keeping peace & holdinge
communion w tt God, many of w h I have in tyme observed that
I have great need to repent (in some of them) my unadvised-
aesse in making them, consideringe that they have proved
wwres to my Conscience, & (in others of them) my wretched-
ne88e & sinne in not carefully observing them. M r . Cartwright

68 LIFE AND LETTERS

in his Answ : to the Rem : Acts 5. 4. 1 givethe some directions
on this pointe."

We may now proceed, without further interruption or
explanation, with the remaining passages which relate to
the period embraced in the present chapter.

" 1610 Jan. After I had muche displeased my God by

folio winge idle & vaine pastymes, as sittinge late up at , 9

w* my unkinde omittinge my family exercise, I was muche
unsettled, as there was cause, yet God (when I thought his
anger was even hote against me) drewe me to repentance &
showed me sweet mercye.

44 12. But a little after beinge out of order againe through
the force of a newe temptatio ; & mine owne rebellious wicked
hearte yieldinge itselfc to the slaverye of sinne, had brought
me into the Lords hands againe, yet my God, the true naturall
father of the prodigall, seeinge me but have a minde to returne,
mette me in his fatherly love & brought me into his favof not-
withstandinge all my unkindnesse.

44 17. Then by little & little by want of diligent care &
observation of my hearte & waycs I lost the former freshncs
of my affections, & so begannc to fall to idleness, takinge
pleasure in vanitie againe, but God crossed me in my delights,
& when I perceived God was angry w m me I had no harte to
any dutye, till readinge the 33 of Job : v. 29 : the Lorde
moved me to come to him againe, so I returned & found favor,
yet not suchc affections as before.

44 1611. The 22 of August it plesed God to sende me a sore
sicknes wherein besides the worke of Gods Spiritt upon my
conscience, I did most evidently perceive his great mercie &
care in supportingc me, easingc the paine, givinge me pacience,
& muche cherefullnes, & willingnes to abide his good will, &

1 The reference was probably to " The Answere to the Preface of the Rhemish Tes-
tament," by Thomas Cartwright, the great Puritan writer and preacher.
3 The place is designated in the manuscript by an unintelligible sign.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 69

•

before the sicknes was come to the hight, God in mercyc cutt it
off by sending me w th out any meanes a great relief.

" One thinge \y° h I observed in this sicknes was that God
visited uppon me many of my bould runninges out against con-
science, w* I then when I comitted them passed over w** 1 slight
repentance, & now had suerly smarted well for them if I had
not now stopped them by searious & specdyc turninge to God,
whereuppon I resolved not to be so bould to sinne againste my
conscience in tyme to come.

"Another thinge w* 11 I resolved uppon good grounde was
to leave all my working & inventions of all sorts, especially
the doinge of such things as required any labour or tyme, &
to content my selfc w* such tilings as were lefte by of fore-
fathers, & that for divers reasons as

" First "

A missing page deprives us of the reasons of this most
conservative resolution. We proceed with the pages
which are left: —

** I had prayed ofte & earnestly for the mortifyingc of divers
corruptions, & I have certainely founde that God hathe hearde
me for some of them, weakeninge the force of them by mbancs
that I never thought of.

"Dec: 15. I acknowledge a speciall providence of God
that my wife taking upp a measse of porridge, before the
children or anybodye had eaten of it, she espied therein a greate
spider. 1 .

" Findingc by muche examination that ordinary shootinge in
* gunne, etc : could not stande w*? a good conscience in my
wife, as first, for that it is simply prohibited by the lawe .of the
land, uppon this grounde amonst others, that it spoiles more of
the creatures then it getts : 2 it procures offence unto manye :
3 it wastes great store of tyme : 4 it toyles a mans bodye

1 This may, perhaps, occasion a smile ; yet it would not be easy to say why a special
providence might not as well be recognized in the discovery of the spider which would
aire poisoned the porridge, as in " the sparrow which falleth to the ground.'*

70 UFE AND LETTERS

•

overmuche : 5 it endangers a mans life, etc : 6 it brings no
profite all things considered: 7 it hazards more of a mans
estate by the penaltye of it, then a man would willingly parte
with : 8 it brings a man of worth & godlines into some con-
tempt : — lastly for mine owne parte I haue ever binne crossed
in usinge it, for when I haue gone about it not w^out some
woudes of conscience, & haue taken muche paynes & hazarded
my healthe, I haue gotten sometimes a verye little but most
comonly nothinge at all towards my cost & laboure : l

" Therefore I haue resolved & covenanted w* the Lorde to
give over alltogither shootinge at the creeke ; — & for killinge
of birds, etc : either to leave that altogither or els to use it,
bothe verye seldome & verye secreatly. God (if he please) can
giue me fowlc by some other meanes, but if he will not, yet, in
that it is [his] will who loves me, it is sufficient to uphould my
resolution.

"That w*? 1 I promise for my selfe, I likewise promise for
my servants, as farre as the former reasons agree to them.

" Beinge further resolved that poenall Statutes doe binde the
person to obedience in these indifferent thinges, I have proposed
not to breake the intention of this Lawe, etc : this further I
hould for this matter, that thoughe lawe cannot binde from the
use of the creatures, yet it may limitt the maner of taking
them.

" 1611 Jan : 1. Beinge admonished by a christian freinde
that some good men were ofended to heare of some gaminge
w** was used in my howsc by my servants, etc : I resolved
that as for my selfe not to use any cardings etc, so for others
to represse it as much as 1 could, during the continuance of my
present state, & if God bringc me once to be wholly c by my
selfe, then to banishe all togither.

1 Bad luck with his gun, though the last reason assigned, may have given the
original impulse to much of this philosophy about shooting. It certainly forms an
amusing climax to the argument The Governor was evidently not a good shot in his
youth.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 71

"28. In my sleepe I dreamed that I was w 1 ! 1 Christ upon
e&rthe, & that beinge very instant w m him in manyc teares, for
the assurance of the pardon of my sinnes etc : I was so ravished
w* his love towards me, farre exceedinge the affection of the
kindest husbande, that being awaked it had made so deep im-
pression in my hearte, as I was forced to immeasurable weep-
ings for a great while, & had a more lively feelinge of the love
of Christ then cuer before. This followed the same night after
I had bine visitinge Jesus Christ in his faithfull servant, old
Hudson, to whom as by my presence & helpe I afforded muche
comfort e, so God recompensed me w* comfort againe. And
heerein I see great cause to complaine of the weaknes of my
faithe that cannot see Christs helpe as neere, now he is in
heaven, as it appeared when he was on earthe.

" I see that I cannot ev r fecle the same measure of the love

of Christ heere, but this is my comforte that I shall have the

full fruition of it in heaven.

"Feb. Gettinge my selfc to take too muche delighte in a

vaine thinge w** I went about w^out the warrant of faithe, I

wis by it by degrees drawne to make shipwracke of a good

conscience & the love of my father, so as my heart beganne

to growe hardened & inclininge to a reprobate minde ; prayer

& other duties beganne to growe irksome, my confidence failed

me, my Comfort left me, yet I longed after reconciliation, but

could not obtaine it ; I earnestly sought to repente but could not

gett an heart unto it, I grew wearye of myselfe, unprofitable

to others, & God knowes whither ever I shall recover that

estate w** I loste ; — O that this might be a warninge to me to

take good heede how I greive the good spiritt of my God &

wounde my conscience, & that as the penninge of this is in

m *ny teares, so the readinge of it when occasion shalbe may

w a Btronge motive unto sobrietye.

"I finde that often sinninge bringes difficulty in repentinge
* especially the bould runninge out against knowledge & con-

72 LIFE AKD LETTERS

" After the comittinge of such sinnes as have promised most
contentment and comoditie, I would 'ever gladly have wanted
the benefitte, that I might have bine ridde of the sinne. Where-
uppon I conclude that the profitt of sinne can never counter-
vaile the damage of it, for there is no sinne so sweet in the
comittinge, but it proves more bitter in the repentinge for it.

' ' I do certainely finde that when I sett myselfe seariously to
prayer etc : thoughe I be very unfitt when I beginne, yet God
dothe assist me & bowes his eare to me, especially when I aske
as one that would obtaine.

" 1 have trembled more at the comittinge of some newe sinne,
al thoughe but smale in comparison, then at the doing of some
evill that I have been accustomed to, though muche greater ;
therefore I see it is good to beware of Custome in sinne, for
often sinninge will make sinne light.

" I sawe my greate follye in that I placed so muche fclicitye
in present outward thinges & in the hope of thinges to come,
whenas I am suer that I shall have them but for a shorte tyme,
if at all. The danger & hurte of these earthly ioyes I finde to
be greater in that they deminishe the ioye of my salvation :
wherefore I have resolved by the grace of God, to holde my
affections in a narrower compasse, & not to suffer my hearte to
delight more in any thing then in the comforte of my salvation.

" Sep : 8. 1612. ffinding that the variety of meates drawes
me on to eate more than standeth v?** 1 my healthe, I have
resolved not to eate of more then 2 dishes at any one meale,
whither fish, flesh, fowle or fruite or whittmeats etc : whither
at home or abroade; the lorde give me care & abilitie to
performe it. I founde that the pride of my hearte, viz :
these great thoughts of mine owne gifts, creadite, greatnes,
goodnes etc : were like a canker in my profession, eatinge out
the comfort of all duties, deprivinge God of a principall parte
of his right in my hearte, w^ 1 I daylye perceived, when it
pleased God to lett me see my meanenes in his exceeding
greatnes : whereuppon I resolved to make it one of my cheife

OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 73

petitions to have that grace to be poorc in spirit : I will ever
walke humblye before my God, & meekly, mildly, & gently
towards all men, so shall I haue peace.

" May 23 1613. When my conditio was much straightned,

partly through my longe sicknes, partly through wante of

freedome, partly through lacke of outward things, I prayed

often to the Lorde for delivrance, referring the meanes to him-

selfe, & w* all I often promised to putt forthe myselfe to muche

fruitt when the Lorde should inlarge me. Nowe that he hathe

set me at great libertye, givinge me a good ende to my teadious

quartan, freedome from a superior will & liberall maintenance

by the deathe of my wifes father (who finished his days in

peace the 15 of May, 1613) # I doe resolve first to give myselfe,

my life, my witt, my healthe, my wealthe to the service of my

God & Saviour, who by givinge himselfe for me, & to me,

deserves what soever I am or can be, to be at his Comande-

ment, & for his glorye :

" 2. I will live where he appoints me.
"3. I will faithfully endeavour to discharge that callinge
w* he shall appoint me unto.

" 4. I will carefully avoide vaine & needles expences that I
may be the more liberall to good uses.

"5. My propertye, & bounty, must goe forthe abroade,
yet I must ever be careful that it beginne at home.

" 6. I will so dispose of my family affaires as my morning
prayers & evening exercises be not omitted.

"7. I will have a speciall care of the good educatio of my
children.
u 8. I will banish profanes from my familye.
" 9. I will diligently observe the Lords Sabaoth bothe for
the avoidinge & preventinge worldly busines, & also for the
religious spendinge of suche tymes as are free from publique
exercises, viz. the morninge, noone, & evening.

" 10. I will endeavour to have the morninge free for private
Player, meditatio & reading.

10

74 LIFE AND LETTERS

"ll, I will flee Idlenes, & much worldly busines.

"12. I will often praye & conferre privately w tt my wife.

"I must remember to performe my fathers Will 1 faithfully
for I promised him so to do ; and particularly to paye Mr.
Mcges 40 3 a yeare till he should be otherwise provided for.

"September 17, 1613. There mett at Mr Sands, Mr.
Knewstubs, Mr. Birde & his wife, Mr. Chambers, John Gar-
rold & his wife, John Warner & his wife, Mr. Stebbin, Barker
of the pryorye, & I with my companye, where we appointed all
to meete againe the next yeare on that frydaye w° h should be
neerest to the 17 of September, & in the meane tyme every
of us eache fryday in the weeke to be mindefull one of another
in desiring God to grante the petitions that were made to him
that daye, etc.

"Securitie of heart ariseth of over much delighte in the
things of the world. Perk : fol : 609 : See there the excel-
lent issue of this temptatio in Gods children. Item. 784.
799."

This last paragraph is separated from that which goes
before it by a black line, and is written in a large round
hand, as if to designate it as the sum and substance of
the whole matter. The reference is, undoubtedly, to one
of the religious treatises of William Perkins, of Christ's
College, Cambridge ; who died in 1602, and whose works
were published in several foho volumes. Some of our
readers may remember a pleasant story about " Master
Perkins " and Arminius in Izaak Walton's charming bio-
graphy of Sir Henry Wotton.

1 He evidently refers to the will of his wife's father, John Forth, Esq., whose death
(May 15, 1613) he had just mentioned.

* Neither the name nor the amount can be made out with confidence. It appears to
be 40* to Mr. Megges, or Meigs.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 75

CHAPTER V.

8ECOND MARRIAGE. CLOPTON FAMILY. DEATH OF SECOND WIFE.
CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES.

John Winthrop appears to have been married again,
on the 6th of December, 1615. His second wife was
Thomasine Clopton, daughter of William Clopton,Esq.,
of Castleins, a seat near Groton. She was of that
famous family of Cloptons which Sir Simonds D'Ewes,
having married one of them himself, has thus celebrated
in his Autobiography : —

* There is scarce a second private family of nobility or gen-
try, either in England or in Christendom, that can show so
many goodly monuments of itself in any one church, cathedral
or parochial, as remain of the Cloptons in that of Melford, in
the county of Suffolk, this present year (1638) : where may
be seen and viewed about threescore portraitures, anciently set
up, of men and women, with their coat-armors on most of
them, in stpne, brass, or glass ; besides some gravestones on
which are no statues, and divers portraitures of glass in the
great east window of the chancel, either wholly gone or much
defaced. All which figures and representations, as appears
by the epitaphs engraven on the tombs and flat marbles, and by
the inscriptions placed under the portraitures in glass, were
there fixed and set up in memory of the Cloptons themselves
(of which there are about twenty lineals and collaterals of the
Nale line) ; and the rest are to perpetuate the remembrance
°f their wives and daughters and sons-in-law." l

l Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Autobiography, vol. i. p. 888.

76 UFE AND LETTERS

Winthrop, alas ! was destined but too soon to have an
interest in these Clopton tombstones, and to realize but
too sadly that —

" The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth, e'er gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour." 4

A year and a day had scarce elapsed since her mar-
riage, when Thomasine Clopton, with her infant child,
was committed to the dust, and Winthrop's home was
again left unto him desolate.

No wonder, that, under such successive and severe
bereavements, his spirit should have been sorely tried
and exercised. No wonder that he was oppressed with
melaacholy, and that he should have been led to con-
ceive and entertain many misgivings as to his religious
condition. He had previously made no small progress
in overcoming whatever of worldliness there was in his
nature. He had even contemplated an abandonment
of his profession as a lawyer, with a view to take orders
as a clergyman.

w I grew," says he, in reference to a period just previous to
this affliction, " to be of some note for religion (which did not
a little puff me up), and divers would come to me for advice
in cases of conscience ; and, if I heard of any that were in
trouble of mind, I usually went to comfort them : so that
upon the bent of my spirit this way, and the success of my
endeavors, I gave myself to the study of divinity, and intended
to enter into the ministry if my friends had not diverted me.
But as I grew into employments and credit thereby, so I grew
also in pride of my gifts and under temptations, which set me
on work to look to my evidence more narrowly than I had
done before." 1

1 Christian Experience, 1686-7.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 77

It was, however, at the precise period of these sad

domestic visitations, which occurred just as he was

entering upon his thirtieth year, that he describes his

condition as having been most critical and his soul most

^desponding.

W I was now," he proceeds, w about thirty years of age ; and
now was the time come that the Lord would reveale Christ
unto mee, whom I had long desired, but not so earnestly as
since I came to see more clearly into the covenant of free
grace. First, therefore, hee laid a sore affliction upon me,
wherein he laid me lower in mine own eyes than at any time
before, and showed mee the emptiness of all my gifts and
parts ; left mee neither power nor will, so as I became a
weaned child. I could now no more look at what I hacl been
or what I had done, nor be discontented for want of strength
or assurance. Mine eyes were only upon his free mercy in
Jesus Christ. I knew I was worthy of nothing; for I knew
I could do nothing for him or for myself. I could only mourn
and weep to think of free mercy to such a vile wretch as I was.
Though I had no power to apply it, yet I felt comfort in it.
I did not long continue in this estate ; but the good Spirit of
the Lord breathed upon my soule, and said I should live.
Then every promise I thought upon held forth Christ unto
mee ; saying, f I am thy salvation.' Now could my soule close
with Christ, and rest there with sweet content, so ravished
with his love, as Ldesired nothing, nor feared any thing, but
was filled with joy unspeakable and glorious, and with a spirit
of adoption. Not that I could pray with more fervency or
more enlargement of heart than sometimes before ; but I could
now cry, *My Father,' with more confidence."

This " Christian Experience " of John Winthrop,
from which we have now quoted all that seems to throw
light upon his earlier years, but of which the whole will

78 LITE AND LETTERS

be given hereafter in the order of its date, is in many
respects a remarkable paper. It is written in a stern
spirit of self-condemnation and self-abasement; and,
as we have already suggested, might give room for the
idea that its author had been a much less exemplary 4
young man than he probably was, were not the peculiar
elements of his character and the peculiar circumstances
of his condition, both at the time of which he speaks,
and still more at the time at which it was written, 1
taken into consideration in reading it. But viewed
in this light, or, indeed, in any light, it presents a
striking picture of a pious soul struggling under the
doubts and despondencies which so often beset the
religious temperament, and which the peculiar trials
of his lot were so well calculated to aggravate. There
is, too, a zeal and a fervor of expression in it, — in
some passages rising almost to the height of poetry, —
which, to a religious heart, give it a charm not unlike
that which belongs to some of the devotional writings
of Baxter or of Bunyan, or even to the Confessions of
St. Augustine.

Nor can less, certainly, be said of the earlier " Experi-
ence," to which we turn again for additional illustrations
of his character and circumstances at the precise period
of his life which we have now reached, and for some
account of the wife whose loss he had just been called
to deplore. We proceed with the story just as it
stands in the* stained and moth-eaten manuscript,

1 It was written daring the height of the Antinomian controversy in New England,
when the whole Colony was agitated, and almost rent asunder, by religious excite-
ments.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 79

omitting only such words or passages as have been
obscured or obliterated by time. Few descriptions of
a death-bed have survived the lapse of two centuries
and a half in such minute detail as that of Thomasine
Clopton: few, certainly, have afforded more incidents
illustrative at once of the habits of the period and the
character of the parties concerned. As a mere picture
of the domestic history of so remote a day, it could not
be read without a lively interest. 1 The hopes and fears,
the prayers and watchings, the wandering thoughts
and delirious fancies, " the temptations of the enemy,"
the parting words, the passing bell, the last sighs
and tears, are all recounted with a pathos and a
vividness which almost make us witnesses of the
scene, and partakers of the sorrow. The diary begins
two days before the death took place, and on the first
anniversary of her wedding-day. The events which
succeeded must have been noted down from hour to
hour; though the narrative may, perhaps, have been
drawn up more deliberately after all was over. The
exquisite tribute to her character, with which it closes,
was evidently added after the first pangs of the bereave-
ment had somewhat subsided.

"Dec: 6 1616. ' God will have mercie on whom he will
have mercie, & when & how seemes best to his wisdome & will.
And his mercie is free, meere mercie, w th out any helpe of o r
owne worthe or will ; so as for all good actions, we adde no-
thinge either to the deed or the doer ; but, as a man shootinge

1 It may help to fix in our mind the exact period at which it was written, if we
KBember that Shakspeare died during the same year at Stratford upon Avon, where
kf had lived in a house (New Place) which had been built by Sir Hugh Clopton, pro-
kMy of the same -stock with Winthrop's wife.

80 LIFE AND LETTERS

a birdc through a hedge or a hole In a wall, the hedge dothe
no more but cover the author, though the birde may think
the blowe came from the hedge, so surely the Lord hathe
shewed me (in prayer & meditation whereunto he himselfe
onely drewe & inabled me, sending the affliction & sanctifieinge
it to that ende) that there was never any holye meditation,
prayer, or action that I had a hand in, that received any
worthe or furtherance from me or anythinge that was mine.
And untill I sawc this & acknowledged it, I could never have
true comfort in God or sound peace in mine owne conscience,
in any the best that I could performe. But when sometymes
I fell into a holye prayer, meditation etc : if I hapened but to
lett my affections to cast an eye towards myselfe, as thinking
myselfe somebodye in the performance of suche a duty in such
a manner, etc : suche a thought would presently be to my com-
fort & peace as colde water caste upon a flame; whereby I
might see that God by suche checkes would teache me to goe
wholly out of myselfe, & learne to depende upon him alone ;
w ch he himselfe of his meere favour give me grace to doe con-
stantly. For it is not possible that any good thinge should
come from me as of myselfe, since the vcrye least conceit that
ascribes any thinge to myne owne worthe or abilitie in the best
dutye, not only takes awaye all meritt from it, but makes it
lothesome & sinfulle in Gods sight.

"In this tyine of my sorrowe for my wifes weaknesse, I
founde it a speciall meanes for the humblinge & cleeringe of
my hcarte & conscience, even to meditate upon the Comand-
ments & to examine my life past by them, & then concludinge
w 111 prayer, I founde my hearte more humbled & Gods free
mercie in Christ more open to me then at any tyme before to
my remembrance.

w On Saturdaye beinge the last of November 1616, Thoma-
sine, my deare & lovinge wife, was delivered of a daughter,
w ch died the mundaye followinge in the morninge. She tooke
the dcathe of it w th that patience, that made us all to merveile,
especially those that sawe howe carefull she was for the life of

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 81

it in hir travaile. That daye soone after the deathe of the
childe, she was taken w th a fever w ch shaked hir very muche,
& sett hir into a great fitt of coughinge, w° h by teusday morn-
inge was well alayed, yet she continued aguish & sweatinge,
w 111 muche hoarscnes, & hir mouthe grewe verye soare, & muche
troubled w* blood falling from hir head into hir mouthe &
throate.

"On Wensdaye morninge those w ch were about hir, & hir-

selfe also beganne to feare that w ch foUowed, whereupon we

sent for my Cosin Duke ; * w ch when she understood she tould

me that she hoped when he came he would dealc plainly w m

me, & not feed me w th vaine hopes ; whereupon I breakinge

forthe into teares, she was moved at it, & desired me to be

contented, for you breake mine heart (said she) w th your griev-

ings. I answered that I could do no lesse when I feared to be

stripped of suche a blessinge : She replied, God never bestowes

any blessinge so great on his children but still he hathe a greater

in etore, & that I should not be troubled at it, for I might see

how God had dealt w th Mr. Rogers before me in the like case.

And airwaves when she perceived me to mourne for hir, she

would intreat & persuade me to be contented, tellinge me that

she did love me well, & if God would lctt hir live w th me, she

would endeavour to she we it more, etc ; She also desired me

oft that so longe as she lived I would not cease prayinge for her,

neither would be absent from hir, but when I had necessary

occasions.

"On thursdaye at noone my Cosin Duke came to hir, &
toote notice of hir dangerous estate, yet expectinge a farther
issue that night he departed, sayeing that before Saterdaye we
should see a great change. After his departure she asked me
what he said of hir, w° h when I tould hir, she was no whitt
moved at it, but was as comfortably resolved whither to live or
die.

1 a 0n Thursday the xi of November (1696) Anna Snellinge was married to John
Duke." She was the daughter of John Snellinge of Shimpling, who is constantly
oJN by Adam Winthrop "my brother Snellinge."

11

82 LIFE AND LETTERS

"On thursdaye in the night she was taken w* deathe, &
about midnight or somewhat after called for me, & for the rest
of hir friends. When I came to hir she seemed to be fully
assured that hir tyme was come, & to be gladde of it, & desired
me to praye w cb I did, & she tooke comforte therein, & desired
that we would sende for Mr. Sands, w* h we did. In the meane
tyme, she desired that the bell might ringe for hir, & diverse
of the neighbours came into hir, w 011 when she perceived she
desired me that they might come to hir one by one, & so she
would speake to them all, w** she did, as they came, quietly &
comfortably. When the bell beganne to ringe, some said it
was the 4 aclock bell, but she conceivinge that thfey sought to
conceale it from hir, that it did ringe for hir, she said it needed
not, for* it did not troble hir. Then came in Mr. Nicolson
whom she desired to praye, w** he did.

"When Mr. Sands was come she reached him hir hande,
beinge gladd of his cominge (for she had asked often for him).
He spake to her of diverse comfortable points, whereunto she
answered so wisely & comfortably, as he & Mr. Nicolson did
bothe mervaile to heare hir, Mr. Sands sayinge to me that he
did not looke for so sounde iudgem 1 in hir : He said he had
taken hir all waves for a harmelesse younge woman, & well
affected, but did not thinkc she had been so well grounded.
Mr. Nicolson seeing hir humblenesse of minde & great comfort
in God, said that her life had been so innocent & harmlesse as
the Devill could finde nothing to lave to her charge. Then
she desired Mr. Sands to praye but not praye for life for hir ;
he answered then he would praye for grace. After prayer she
desired me that I would not lett Mr. Sands goe awaye, but
when he shewed hir the occasion he had, she was content upon
promise that he would come againe. This was about 5 of the
clocke on fridaye morninge.

"Friday morninge about 6 of the clocke my Cosen Duke
came to us againe, & when he had seene how things fell out
that night, he tould us that that was the dismall night, wherein
she had received hir deathes wounde, yet she might languish a

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 83

daye or 2, yet after he had felt hir pulse, he said that if the
next night were a good night vr* hir, there was some hope
lefte.

* Fridaye morninge she beganne somewhat to cheere, & so

continued all that daye, & had a very good night that night

foUowinge, & beganne hirselfe to entertaine some thought of

life, & so did most of us that were about hir. But on Sater-

day morninge she beganne to complaine of could, & a little

after awakinge out of a slumber, she prayed me to sett my

heart at rest, for now (said she) I am but a dead .woman, for

this hand (meaninge hir left hande) is dead allreadye, & when

we would have persuaded hir that it was but numme w ,b beinge

under hir, she still constantly affirmed that it was dead, & that

she had no feelinge in it, & desired me to pull off hir gloves

that she might see it, w° h I did ; then when they would have

wrapped some clothes about it, she disliked it, tcllinge them

that it was in vaine, & why should they cover a dead hande :

when I prayed hir to suffer it, she answered that if I would

have it so she would, & so I pulled on hir gloves, & they

pinned clothes about hir hands, when they had doone she said

what a wrctche was I for layinge my legge out of the bedd

this night, for when I should pull it in againe it was as if it

had come throughe y e coverlaye, (yet it seemed to be but hir

imaginatio or dreame for the women could not perceive it) .

"The feaver grewe very stronge upon hir, so as when all the
tyme of hir sicknesse before she was wont to saye she thanked
God she felt no paine, now she beganne to complaine of hir
breste, & troubles in hir head, & after she had slumbered a
while & was awaked, she beganne to be tempted, & when I
came to hir she seemed to be affrighted, used some speeches of
Satans assaultinge hir, & complained of the losse of hir first
love, etc : then we prayed w" 1 hir, as she desired, after prayer
she disliked that we prayed for life for hir, since we might see
it was not Gods will that she should live.

*Her feaver increased very violently upon hir, w ch the Devill
made advantage of to moleste hir comforte, but she declaringe

84 LIFE AND LETTERS

unto us w th what temptations the devill did assault hir, bent
hirselfc against them, prayinge w^ great vehemence for Gods
helpe, & that he would not take away his lovinge kindnesse
from hir, defyinge Satan, & spitting at him, so as we might
see by hir setting of hir teethe, & fixinge her eyes, shakinge hir
head & whole bodye, that she had a very greatt conflicte w tt
the adversarye.

w After she a little paused, & that they went about to cover
hir hands w° h laye open w th her former strivinge, she beganne
to lifte up Jiir selfe, desiringe that she might have hir hands &
all at lib tie to glorifie God, & prayed earnestly that she might
glorifie God, althoughe it were in hell. Then she beganne
very earnestly to call upon all that were about hir, exhort-
inge them to serve God, etc : (And whereas all the tyme
of hir sicknesse before she would not endure the light but
would be carefull to have the curtaines kept close, nowe she
desired light, & would have the curtaine towards the wmdowe
sett open, & so to hir ende was much grieved when she had not
either the daye light or candlelight, but the fire light she could
not endure to looke upon, saying that it was of too many
colours like the raynebowe.)

"Then she called for hir sisters, & first for hir sister Mary, 1
& when she came she said, sister Mary, thou hast many good
things in thee, so as I have cause to hope well of thee, & that
we shall meet in heaven, etc.

"Then she called for hir sister Margerye, 2 whom she exhort-
ed to serve God, & take heede of pride, & to have care in hir
matchinge that she looked not at riches & worldly respects,
but at the feare of God, for that would bringe hir comfort at
hir deathe although she should meet with many afflictions.

"To her Eliz : 3 she said, serve God, take heed of lyeinge.
I doe not knowe that you doe use it, but I wish you to be-
warre.

1 Mary married George Jenny, of London.

2 Margery married Thomas Dogget, of Boxford
8 Elizabeth married George Cook, of Ipswich.

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 85

w Hir sister Sampson 1 she exhorted to serve God, & to
bringe up hir children well, not in pride & vanity e, but in the
feare of God.

** To hir mother she said that she was the first childe that she
should burye, but prayed hir that she would not be discomfort-
ed at it ; when hir mother answered that she had no cause to
be discomforted for hir, for she should goe to a better place, &
she should go to hir father, she replied that she should goe to a
better father than hir earthly father.

" Then came my father & mother, whom she thanked for all
their kindnesse & love towards hir.

"Then she called for my children & blessed them severally,
& would needs have Mary brought that she might kisse hir,
w* she did.

"Then she called for my sister Luce, & exhorted hir to take
heed of pride & to serve God.

"Then she called for hir servants: to Rob 1 she said, you
have many good thinges in you, I have nothinge to accuse you
of, be faithfull & diligent in yof service.

"To Anne Pold she said that she was a stubborne wenche,
etc : & exhorted hir to be obedient to my mother.

"To Eliz : Crouff she said, take heed of pride & I shall
nowe release you, but take heed what service you goe into.

"To Anne Addams she said, thou hast been in badd servingc
longe in an Alehouse etc : thou makest no conscience of the
Sabaothe ; when I would have had thee gone U> Church thou
wouldst not, etc :

" Then came Mercye Smith to hir, to whom she said thou art
a good woman, bringe up thy children well, you poore folks
coraonly spoyle yo r children, in sufferinge (them) to breake
Goda Sabaothes, etc :

"To an other she said you have many children, bring them
up well, not in lyeing, etc :

"To an other she said God forgive yo r sinnes whatsoever
thev be.

i Bridget Clopton married John Sampson, of Sampson's Hall in Kersey.

86 LIFE AND LETTERS

"To goodwife Cole she said,, you are a good woman, I
thanke you for all yof paines towards me, God reward you.

w To Hen : Pease she said, be diligent & faithfull in yof
worke, or els when death come, it wilbe layd before you ; I
pray God send yoT wife good deliverance, she may doe well,
though I die, bringe up my god-daughter well, lett hir not
want correctio.

w To hir keepf she said, be not discouraged, although I die,
thou hast kept many that have doone well, thou hast but one
child, bringe it up well.

w Hir payne increased verye muche in her brest, w ch swelled
so as they were forced to cutt the tyeings of hir waystcote to
give hir ease : whilst she laye in this estate she ceased not
(albeit she was verye hoarse, & spake w* great paine) one
while to exhorte, another while to praye. Hir usual prayer
was Come Lord Jesus ; When Lord Jesus, etc : hir, exhorta-
tion was to stirre up all that sawe hir, to prepare for death,
tellinge them that they did not knowe how sharpe & bitter the
pangs of deathe were, w th many like speeches.

w In this tyme she prayed for the Churche, etc : & for the
ministerye, that God would blesse good ministers, & convert
such ill ones as did belonge to him, & weed out the rest.
After this we might perceive that God had given her victorye,
by the comfort w ch she had in the meditatio of hir happinesse,
in the favour of God in Ch 1 Jesus. Towards afternoone hir
great paynes remitted, & she laye very still, & said she sawe
hir tyme was not yet come, she should live 24 howres longer ;
then when any asked hir how she did, she would answer pretily
well, but in hir former fitt, to that question she would answeare
that she was goeinge the way of all flesh. Then she prayed
me to reade by hir, when I asked hir where, she answeared, In
some of the holye gospells, so I beganne in John the 14, &
read on to the ende of the 17 th Chapter. And when I pawsed,
at the ende of any sweet sentence, she would saye this is com-
fortable : If I stayed at the ende of any Chapter for hir to take
rest, she would call earnestly to read on, — then she desired
to take a little rest.

or john wijNthrop. 87

w She often prayed God to forgive the sinnes of hir youth,
etc : & desired me ofte to praye for hir, that God would
strengthen hir with his holye spirit. After, she desired me
againe to reade to hir the 8 th to the Rom 8 , & the 11 th to the
Heb*, whereby she received great comfort, still callinge to
reade on, then I read the 116 ps. this is a sweet psalm (said
she) then I read the 84 psal : the 32, 36, 37, & other places.

w In the eveninge Mr. Sands came againe, & prayed, & soon
after she tooke him by the hand & tould him she would bidd
him farewell, for she knew it was a busie night w th him. After,
we went to prayer, & when we had doone, * O what a wretche
am I (said she) to lose the ende of this prayer, for I was
adeepe.'

" After we had continued in readinge etc, untill late in the
night, she asked who should watche w th hir, & when we tould
hir, she was satisfied, & disposed hirselfe to rest.

*In the night she prayed one of the women that watched
w tt her to read unto hir : whilst I was gone to bedde, she
asked often for me, & about 2 of the clocke in the morninge
I came to hir. Now it was the Sabaothc day, & she had now
4 then a brunt of temptation, bewaylinge that she could not
then be assured of hir salvation, as she had been. She said
that the devill went about to persuade hir to cast of hir subiec-
tion to hir husbande, etc :

"That Sabaothe noone, when most of the companie were
gone downe to dinner, when I discoursed unto hir of the sweet
love of Christ unto hir, & of the glorye that she was goeinge
unto, & what an holye everlastinge Sabaothe she should keepe,
& how she should suppe w* Christ in Paradise that night, etc :
she shewed by hir speeches & gestures the great ioye & stead-
fast assurance that she had of those things. When I tould hir
that hir Redeemer lived, & that she should see him w* those
poore dimme eyes, vr * 1 should be bright & glorified, she an-
swered cheerfully, she should. When I tould her that she
should leave the societie of freinds w° h were full of infirmities,
& should have communio w* Abram, Isaacke, & Jacob, all

88 LIFE AND LETTERS

the prophets & apostles & saints of God, & those holyc mar-
tirs (whose stories when I asked hir if she remembred she *
answered yea) she would lifte up Jier hands & eyes, & say, yea
she should. Suche comforte had she ag* deathe that she sted-
fastly professed that if life were sett before hir she would not
take it.

* When I tould hir that the daye before was 12 monthes she
was maried to me, & now this day she should be maried to
Ch 1 Jesus, who would embrace her w th another manner of love
than I could, i O husband (said she, & spake as if she were
offended, for I perceived she did mistake me) I must not love
thee as I love Christ. '

w Hir hearing still continued, & hir understandinge very per-
fecte, hir sight was dimed, yet she knewe every bodye to the
laste. If I went from hir she would call for me againe, &
once asked me if I were angry w" 1 hir that I would not staye
w* her.

w While I spake to hir of any thinge that was comfortable,
as the promises of the Gospell, & the happie estate she was
entringe into, she would lye still & fixe her eyes stedfastly
upon me, & if I ceased awhile (when hir specche was gone)
she would turn her head towards me, & stirre hir hands as
well as she could, till I spake, & then would be still againe.

w About 5 of the clocke, Mf Nicolson came to hir & prayed
with hir, & about the ende of his prayer, she fetched 2 or 3
sighes, & fell asleepe in the Lorde. 1

"The Wensdaye folio winge beinge the 11 of Dec. she was
buried in Groton chancell by my other wife, & hir childe was
taken up, & laid w th hir.

"She was a woman wise, modest, lovinge, & patient of
iniuries ; but hir innocent & harmeles life was of most observa-
tion. She was truly religious, & industrious therein ; plaine
hearted, & free from guile, & very humble minded ; never so

1 The following memorandum is inscribed in the margin: "Deceinb: 6* 1016. An:
letat: 84 come 12 of Feb. foil: et aetat men 29."

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 89

adicted to any outward thinges (to my iudgm?) but that she
could bringe hir affections to stoope to Gods will in them. She
was sparinge in outward shewe of zeale, etc. but hir constant
love to good christians, & the best things, w 1 * hir reverent
& carefull attendance of Gods ordinances, bo the publiqe &
private, w tt hir care for avoydinge of evill hirselfe, & reprov-
inge it in others, did plainly shewe that truthe, & the love of
God, did lye at the heart. Hir lovinge & tender regard of my
children was suche as might well become a naturall mother :
ffor hir cariage towards myselfe, it was so amiable & observ-
ant as I am not able to expresse ; it had this onely inconve-
nience, that it made me delight too muche in hir to enjoye hir

12

90 LIFE AND LETTERS

CHAPTER VI.

EARLY RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED), 1616-17.

After the tribute to the memory of his wife which has
been given at the close of our last chapter, there is a
blank space in Winthrop's little autograph volume ; and
then it proceeds with the religious emotions and expe-
riences of the succeeding year. Now and then a date
will be found, marking the precise period at which dif-
ferent passages were written. There is no date, how-
ever, to the first passage. It was probably written not
many weeks, perhaps not many days, after the sad
scenes which had been so minutely and touchingly
recorded. We give it all just as we find it. We should
hardly be pardoned for interrupting the progress of
such a confession by any comments of our own ; much
less for mingling any other matter in the same chapter
with a self-communion so free from all mere worldly
considerations.

w I finde by often experience that the most uauall thinge that
breakes off my comfort in God, & delight in heavenly things,
is the entertaininge the love of earthly things ; — for having
so often given myselfe unto the Lord, by particular solemne

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 91

Covenants, as upon my recoverye out of my quartan, the
deathe of my former wife, deliverance from speciall sicknesses,
etc, & now againe upon the renuinge of my repentance in this
last affliction by the deathe of my other wife, the Lord will not
endure it that I should steale my affectio from liim, to sett
it againe upon the world; so as I perceive that lett me doe
what duties I will, yet if my heart be roaminge after pleasure,
glorie, profitt, etc : he abhorres bothe me & my service ; so as I
see that if he may not have my heart, he will have nothinge : —
Ileerupon it hathe fallen out often that I have bestowed a great
deale of tyme in prayer, & other duties, & have founde no
other answeare but a wounded & discontented minde, & all
because I have brought an heart haltinge betweene God & the
worlde, desirous of his favour, & yet not resolved upon the
deniall of tins worlde & myselfe ; not weighinge that sentence
of Christ * He that wilbe my disciple, must denie himselfe,' &c :
Againe on the other side sometymes upon a short meditation,
or prayer, a secreat grone, or desire sent up into heaven, etc.,
I have founde unspeakable peace & comforte, for then my
heart would repose itselfe in God, & yield to him sayinge w*
Paul, Lord, what wilt thou have me to doe? Whereupon I
conclude that I cannot serve 2 masters ; if I love the world,
the love of the father can have no abidinge in me. This be-
numbs the hand of faith, casts a mist before the eyes of it,
cooles the zealc of prayer, quenchethe the spirit, & all spirit uall
affections, & layes the heart open to the force of all tempta-
tions.

" Now to repell all suche lusts, pleasures, profitts or what-
soever, that would steale awaye my heart from my God, I will
meditate upon these & such other scriptures :

"If then ye be risen w 411 Christ, seek those things w** are
above &c :

"Love not the world, neither the things of the world &c :

" My sonne give me thy heart :

"They are not of the world, as I am not of the world :

" Demas hath forsaken me & imbraced this present world :

92 UFE AND LETTERS

w — The world is crucified to me & I to the world :

w 2 Pe. 1. 4. Flee the corruptions w° h are in the world

through lust :

w 1 Pe. 2. 11. As strangers & Pilgrimes abstaine from

fleshly lusts that fight against the soule.

"Althoughe the losse of my wife were to me a grievous
thinge, yet God, in his more than fatherly mercie, drewe my
minde from beinge too intentive upon it, by givinge me cause
to looke into myselfe, & when he had shewed me mine owne
nakednesse & unworthinesse, & thereby sett me on woork to
follow him unweariably in prayer, (not onely in sett & solemne
manner upon my knees, but by ofte & earnest liftings up of
my heart, as I was walkinge, & sittinge, havinge good incou-
ragement, by his presence & assistance, to provoke me there-
unto,) wherein I could not tell whither were greater my sorrowe,
ioye, desire or feare, often tymes ; & giving me to finde muche
sweetnesse & more than ordinary rellishe in the readinge of his
holye worde, & in meditation, etc : I founde in one fortnight,
suche an abundant recompence of my losse, as I might saye
vr* the prophet, O Lord thou hast caused my ioye to surmount
my griefc an 100 fouldc. O my soule, prayse the Lord, & all
that is w^in me prayse his holye name ; w ch forgiveth thee all
thy sinnes, & healeth all thy Infirmities : My soule, what wilt
thou returne unto the Lord for all his benefitts ? take the cuppe
of salvation (w ch he houldeth forthe unto thee) & thanke him
w tb all thy might ; Love him w* all thy soule, & w 01 all thy
strengthe ; & for his loves sake lett all thy delight be in the
saints that are on the earth. Wronge not his trueth so muche,
as to distrust him either for thy resurrectio to glorye, or thy
perseverance in grace. He hathe given thee his Soiie, who is
as able to sanctifie thee as he is to save thee ; thou art nowe no
more thine owne ; he hathe scaled thee for him selfc, by that
spirit of adoption, that spirit of trueth & Comfort, w ch the
world nor all the devills in hell cannot take from thee. O
Heavenly father strengthen the wcake faith of thy most unwor-

OF JOIIN WINTHROP. 93

thie servant ; & stablish the worke thou hast wrought in me
unto the ende. Amen, Amen.

w It is a very hard thinge to love Christ as well in contempt
as in glorye, & to acknowledge & confesse him in his base
estate, as being exalted. It was an easye thinge to think
gloriously of the martirdomc of such as were glorious in world-
ly respects, as learninge, honor, eminency of place, or great
birth, etc : & on the other side no easye thinge to reade the his-
tories of suche as were vile, & base, & had no other ornament
but naked truethe, w^out some contemptible thoughts abatinge
the worthe & estimation of their cause & sufferings. These
things did somewhat trouble me, untill I considered that Christ's
Kingdome was not of this worlde, & that a Christian as he
must beare the Crosse, so he must denye liimselfe, w ch is the
harde thinge. O Lord, for J : C : sake strengthen me here-
unto.

"Rom : 7 : 18 : — In me (that is in my fleshe) dwelleth no
good thinge. I am carnall, sould under sinne ; Dead in sinnes
&c.

"Before I beleeved these things, as cominge from the mouthe
of God who sees what is in mans heart, & therefore sees that
all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart are onely evill
continually, my heart would ever be ready e to attribute some-
what to its owne worthe & power, in the well doeing of any
dutye, notw th standinge that I have founde the contrarye by
muche experience ; for somctymes when my heart hathe been
but weakly prepared to prayer so as I have expected little com-
fort, etc : yet God hath filled me w th suche power of faith,
sense of his love, etc : as hath made my heart mealt w tb ioye,
etc : Againe at another tyme, when I have settled my heart
unto prayer, of purpose to quicken up my drowsie affections,
& to strengthen my faith, etc : yet I could not, w th all my
labour, althoughe continuinge longer, & in greater fervency
then ordinary, gett my faith strengthened, or my heart hum-
bled & broke, or the feelinge of the love of God shedd abroad

94 LIFE AND LETTERS

in my heart, but the rather more doubtings & discouragements,
etc : yet when I have been forced w 1 ? wearinesse to give over,
even in the very partinge Christ hathe shewed himself unto me,
& answered all my desires. And hereby he hath taught me to
trust to his free love, & not to the power or selfeworthe of my
best prayers, & yet to lett mee see that true prayer, humble
prayer, shall never be unregarded.

w When I was a boye I was at a house, where I spied 2 small
bookes lye cast aside, so I stole them, & brought them awaye
w th me ; & since when they have come to my minde I have
grieved at it, & would gladly have made restitution, but that
shame still letted me ; & when I had thought I had stilled my
conscience, by consideringe the smallnesse of the value, my will-
ingnesse to restore, etc : yet would not my conscience be quiet,
but in everye affliction, especially in this last, in the deathe of
my wife, it mett w* 11 me at every turne, neither could I be ridde
of the checkes of it untill I did (through Gods direction) finde
a meanes to make satisfaction ; w ch doone, I had peace, & was
in muche better lib tye of heart than before, Gods holy name be
prayscd.

w It is a better and more safe estate to be prepared to die then
to desire deathe, for this comonly hath more selfe love w to it
then pure love of God : And it is a signe of more strength of
faithc, & Christian courage, to resolve to fight it out, then to
wish for the victory e.

ff The fleshe is eagerly inclined to pride, & wantonnesse, by
w ch it playes the tirant over the poore soule, makinge it a verye
slave ; the workes of of callings beinge diligently followed, are
a speciall meanes to tame it, & so is temperance in diet, for
idlenesse (under w ch are all suche workes as arc doone to fullfill
the will of the fleshe rather then of the spirit,) & gluttonie
are the 2 maine pillars of the fleshe hir kingdome. See Eccl :
1: 13.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 95

* After I had somewhat shaked off my afliction, & had held
in to a temperate course, & had been pretily wayned from the
worlde, & had brought under my rebellious fleshe, & pretylyc
tamed it by moderate & spare diet, & houldinge it somewhat
close to its taske, by prayer, readinge, meditation & the workes
of my callinge, not suffering it to be idle nor yet to be busied
in suche things as it did desire, etc : after a monthe or 5 weeks
continuance thus, this wilye fleshe beganne to faintc, & seemed
as thoughe it could not longe hould out, it grewe aguishe &
lumpishe, etc : so as if Christ had not heere holpen me, I had
through too light beleefe, & foolish pittie, lightened it of the
burthen & letten it have more lib Ue to mine owne overthrowe ;
but God being mercifull to me, forced me (even against my
will) to lay more loade upon it, & to sett it a greater taske,
for he lett in snche discomforts, of anguish, feare, unquietnesse,
etc, upon my soule, as made me forgett the grones of the fleshe
& take care to helpe my pore soule, & so was the fleshe forced
to be more stronge & lively, when it was putt to greater labour ;
yet as soone as the soule was at quiet againe, the fleshe fell to
his former course, & grewe exceedinge discontented, when it
remembered the fleshe potts of Egypt, the former pleasure,
ease, recreations, mirthe, etc : w ch it had wont to enioye. And
even like a horse in his travaile wilbe eager to runne into suche
an Inne, as he hathe been used to baite at, so this wanton bruit-
ishe fleshe at suche tymes of the daye, as it was wonte to have
most libertie to those former lusts & follies, at such tymes
would it be most discontent \v th its imprisonment, & most
madde after his wonted baits of pleasure, etc : And in these
temptations I was sometymes very hard putt to, yet hathe
Christ (whose I am whollye) hitherto so strengthened me,
that the fleshe hathe loste grounde in all these assaults. And
these things doe turne to my great benefitt, throughe the free
& neverfailinge mercie of my heavenly father, so as I am
resolved, by his grace (O Lord lett not thy grace faile me, I
feare indeed greatly mine owne frailetye, but I neither hope
nor desire, O Lord thou knowest, to stand by mine owne

96 LITE AND LETTERS

strcngthe, wisdome, etc : but onely by faithe in Christ Jesus,)
I am resolved, I save, to stand to the Covenant of my bap-
tisme, renued so often since ; & forsomuche as Christ hathe
freed me from the fcarfull & woefull slavery of the world &
the flesh, I will not backe to prison againe, though I die for
it. (Yet O my poore soule, thou knowest, that if thou wert
even now left to thy selfe, thou shouldst even in this instant be
made a slave againe, but O my heavenly father, for Jes : Christ
his sake keepe me ; If thou wilte, correct, humble, or trye me ;
let me fall into thy hands, for thou art mercifull, but give me
not up into the impure hands of these barbarous enemies the
world & the fleshe ; lett not the habitation of thy holy spirit be
poluted by them, nor lett thy temple become a denne for
theeves). Throughe Christ Jesus the world is crucified unto
me, & I to the world ; I Owe nothing to it, nor to the fleshe,
but have bidden defiance to them w th my whole heart, & I am
resolved (Lord strengthen mee, O strengthen me my God &
father) that come life, come deathe ; come healthe, come sick-
nesse ; come good rcporte or evill reporte ; come ioye, come
sorrowe ; come weal the, come povertie ; come what may, I
will never yield me a prisoner to these enemies, I will never be
reconciled unto them, I will never seeke their weal the nor pros-
peritie all the dayes of my life ; for I knowe that if I enter
friendship w tb them, they will cause me to eate of their sacri-
fices, & so w th drawe my hearte from my God to runne roam-
inge after them & to committ Idolatry e w th them.

w Jany 20. Our Sess" 81 were, against w°? (fearinge greatly
mine owne frail tie) I did prepare myself by earnest prayer etc :
& my tyme, as I rode, I spent as well as I could in good medi-
tations, & kept my course of prayer etc : as well as conveni-
ently I could while I was there, reframinge my mouthe, eyes,

1 It will be observed, that Winthrop makes frequent reference, during the whole
period covered by these self-communings, to his engagements in attending the sessions
of the courts, and to his discharge of his duties as a magistrate.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 97

& eares from vanitie, as well as I could, & so it pleased God

that I brought home my peace & good conscience w 1 * me, yet

my love of goodness some what abated, w cb I perceived not till

a daye or 2 after, when I began to be somewhat loathe to

prayer & good communicatio ; the fleshe beginninge to favoure

itselfe, but it pleased God by prayer to quicken me againe.

When I was at Sess 118 1 kept a continuall watche (as neere as

I could), but yet when I sawe & heard the great accompt &

estimation that the wisdome, gloryc, wealthe, pleasure & such

like worldly felicitie was in w to all, methought I hearde all men

tellinge me I was a foole, to sett so light by honour^ credite,

welthe, iollitie etc : w** 1 sawe so many wise men so much

affecte & ioye in, & to tye my comforte to a conversation in

heaven, w°? was no where to be seene, no way regarded, w^ h

would bring my selfe & all my gifts into contempt, etc : These

& the like baites did Sathan laye for me, & w 01 these enymies

he did ofte tymes sore shake my faithc ; but Christ was in me,

& uphelde my resolution, & he will uphould it (I truste &

praye) that my faithe shall never faile. O Lord keepe me

that I be not discouraged, neither thinke the more meanly of

the portion w** I have chosen, even to walke w th thee, & to

keepe thy Comandments, because the wise ones of this world

doe not regarde but contemne these things. Thou assurest my

heart that I am in a right course, even the narrowe waye that

leads to heaven : Thou tellest me, & all experience tells me,

that in this way there is least companie, & that those w ch doe

walke openly in this way shalbe despised, pointed at, hated of

the world, made a byworde, reviled, slandered, rebuked, made

a gazinge stocke, called puritans, nice fooles, hipocrites, hair-

brainde fellowes, rashe, indiscreet, vain-glorious, & all that

naught is ; yet all this is nothinge to that w^ many of thine

excellent servants have been tried w**, neither shall they

lessen the glorie thou hast prepared for us. Teache me, O

Lord to putt my trust in thee, then shall I be like mount

Sion that cannot be removed. Amen.

13

98 LIFE AND LETTERS

"Feb : 3. I went towards London, & returned soone, the
11. I went forthe sickly, but returned (I prayse God) safe,
& healthie. Whereas I was wont to lose all my tyme in my
iournies, my eyes runninge upon everye obiect, & my thoughts
varieing w 111 everye occasion, it pleased God that I nowe made
great use of my tyme, bothe in prayeing, singing, & medi-
tatinge w to good intentio & muche comforte. Amongst other
things, I had a very sweet meditation of the presence & power
of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the faithfull, ho we he reveales
the love of God in of hearts, & causeth us to love God againe ;
howe he unites all the faithfull in deed & in affection : howe he
opens of understandings in the misteries of the gospell, &
makes us to beleeve & obeye : & of the sweet consent betweene
the worde & the spirit, the spirit leadinge & directinge us in all
things according to the worde : I am not able to expresse the
understandinge w ch God gave me in this heavenly matter, nei-
ther the ioye that I had in the apprehension thereof. Other
meditations I had of my sinnes & unworthinesse, of the exceed-
inge mercies of God towards me, etc : & nowe & then to
refreshe me when I grewe wearye I had a prayer in my heart,
& sometymes I sunge a psalm. I founde it verye hard to bringe
my heart heerunto, my eyes were so eager of wanderinge, &
my minde so lothe to be heald w*?in compasse ; but after I gatt
into it, I founde great sweetnesse therein, it shortned my waye
& lightned all suche troubles & difficulties as I was wont to
meet w°V

w After my returne I founde w th in a 4 or 5 dayes when I
should beginne to settle to my ordinary taskes, etc : that the
fleshe had gotten head & heart againe, & beganne to linger
after the world ; the society of the saints seemed a contempti-
ble thinge, meditations were few, prayer was teadious, & fain
would the fleshe have been at an ende before I beganne : I
grewe drowsie & dull in every good dutie ; it made me marvaile
at my selfe when I remembred my former alacritie ; I prayed
& I wept, yet still I grewe more discouraged: — God beinge
mercifull unto me, heerby to revive me, at length I fell to

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 99

prayer & fastinge, whereto the fleshe was as unwillinge as the
bear to the stake, yet it pleased God that hereby I recovered
life & comforte, & then I founde plainely that not keepinge a
strict watche over my appetite, but feedinge more liberally than
was meet, or then before, of late, I was wont, the fleshe waxed
wanton, & would no longer weare the yoake, but beganne to
growe iollye & slouthfull, as it had wont to doe, & to minde
earthly things. O the deepe deceitfullnesse of my heart ; if
God had lefte me, I had even no we forsaken him, & embraced
my former follye & worldly delights. But blessed be the Lord
that remembred me in the day of perill, & saved me ; O my
God doe not forsake me in the tyme of need.

W I finde by ofte & evident experience, that when I hould
under the fleshe by temperate diet, & not sufferinge the minde
or outward senses to have everye thinge that they desire, &
weane it from the love of the worlde, I ever then praye w th out
wearinesse, or ordinary wanderinge of heart, & am farre more
fitt & checrefull to the duties of my callinge & other duties,
performinge them w*? more alacritie & comfort then at other
tymes.

*Xot longe after fallinge into a light ague, I tooke occasion
thereby to favour myselfe more then I needed, & Sathan made
use of this oportunitie by reason of the wcaknesse of my head
to fill my heart, first w^ wandering thoughts, so drawinge me
from good meditations, & then enticinge me to delight in world-
ly thoughts, w^ at last my heart did embrace so eagerly, as I
could not for my life gett my minde from them, but they inter-
rupted my prayers, brake my sleepe, abated the wonted relishe
of heavenly thinges, tooke awaye my appetite from the worde,
made the duties of my callinge teadious, & filled me w" 1 muche
disoomforte, so as I thought upon that sayeinge, All is vanitie,
* Texatio of spirit.

W I see therefore I must keepe a better watche over my heart,
&keepe my thoughts close to good things, & not suffer a vaine
or worldly thought to enter, etc : least it drawe the heart to

100 LIFE AND LETTBBS

delight in it. And therefore I propose (so farre as God shall
give me grace) to stint myselfe to my tymes in this sort, except
necessarie occasio makes me to alter :

w ffirst, for the forenoone to spende it whollye in the service
of God & duties of my callinge. After dinner x I ^vill allow
an howre to my worldly affaires, & if need shall so require
somewhat more, otherwise (when it will stand w tt my health &
other conveniences) in visitinge some neighbour or etc :, & then
to my studye againe. * And when my Callinge will give me
libertie, to some other profitable studye as occasio shall serve.
(As soone as I had written this, Sathan beganne to tempt me,
w tt his wonted baites of worldly pleasure, in a thinge wherein
I have muche busied my thoughts to finde out the lawfullnesse,
& conveniencie, etc : & when I would have putt it out of my
minde, Sathan suggests to me, that I should sinne except I did
presently determine in my heart whither I would doe it or not,
(& by this sleight he had ofte circumvented me) but it pleased
God to putt into my mouthe to answeare him thus, Avoyd
Sathan, this is not the tyme for to think or resolve upon these
thinges, they have their tyme sett out for them, & when that
tyme comes I will resolve & doe as God shall guide me : thus
by this meditation it pleased the Lord to strengthen me at that
tyme, blessed be his holy name, Amen.)

w Mr. Sands : In indifferent thinges my perswasion must be
my guide.

w It was delivered me by Mr. Sands as upon his best Judgm?
& experience, that a Christian is bounde to make use of his
Sabaothe businesse all the weeke after, & that so to doe would
keepe away muche uncomfortable discontent from a Christian
minde, as thus : A man should sett apart some tyme of the
daye throughe the weeke, to goe over the things w** he hathe
learned in the Sabaothe, either in his prayer or meditatio ; & a

1 The hour for dinner was probably not later than eleven or twelve. " In the time
of Elizabeth, the gentry dined at eleven, and the merchants at twelve." — Our English
Homt, p. 84.

OP JOHN WDTTHBOP. 101

man doeing this of conscience, as Gods ordinance, God would
blesse it. And as of of hearinge so of of prayers, readinge,
meditatinge etc, looke what speciall affections are stirred up in
11s by any of these on the Sabaothes, we should worke upon
them in 9 the weeke dayes; for certainly the Sabaothe is the
markett of of soules.

n When a man leads a life secluded from the comon delights
of the worlde, & gives himselfe to wflke whollye w th God, he
shall heare many sayinge, He will shorten his dayes, he will
pine himselfe, he will be overrunne w* melancolie &c : But
suerly a man so livinge, shall doe more honor to God, & ser-
vice to his Churche in a very shorte life, then another (although
a true Christian, also) livinge at more lib Ue shall doe in a muche
longer tyme : for the more differinge that a mans conversation
is from the comon course of the worlde, the more occasio &
matter there is of the observation of Gods work in him : And
since there are so many that in an overmuche respecte to their
owne outward felicitie take more lib tie in these outward things
then standeth w 111 Gods will, who shall forbidd others (there
beinge so fewe suche) to tender God more fruits of their love
& thankfullnesse, by abridging themselves in the number &
measure of suche outward comforts as they might lawfuly
inioye. But yet I see no grounde for suche opinions, for
besides that God hatjie numbered of dayes etc, there are many
places in scripture w ! 1 may make us looke that holynesse
should lengthen of life, & sweeten it, but none to make us feare
that it should discomfort or shorten it. O Lord, enhable me to
hve righteously & holyly, & I shall not be muche carefull of
livinge longe or hapylye.

tt I had been overtaken, & turned out of my course by enter-
taininge the love of pleasures, & worldly cares into my heart,
w* brought me out of peace w* my God, & tooke awaye my
delight in prayer & other duties, & made me utterly unfitt for
*tudye in my Callinge. In this estate my heart could not be

102 LIFE AND LETTERS

at rest, I could not live so ; I humbled myselfe & sought par-
don & peace againe, & I oftentymes was well comforted &
persuaded of it, but it was soone gone againe, & I returned
backe to my former unsettled & voluptuous course, yet rest-
lesse therein. The Sabaothe came, I arose betyme^, & read
over the covenant of certaine Christians sett downe in Mr.
Rogers booke, & there w^ my heart beganne to breakc, & my
worldly delights w° h had hcald my heart in suche slaverye be-
fore, beganne to be distostefull & of meane account wH 1 me, I
concluded w* prayer in teares ; & so to my family exercise, &
then to Churche, my heart beinge still somewhat humbled
under Gods hande, yet could not gett at lib" from my vaine
pleasures : After dinner & of famyly exercise, I read Mr.
Perkins treatise of the estate of a Christian, &c, thereby as
my heart grewe more humbled, so my affections were more
reclaimed. I went to Boxsted 1 Churche in the afternoone
where I heard w* some affection & found sometymes a comforta-
ble consent in prayer ; being returned I went into my chamber
to prayer, but beinge hot & weary w th goeinge I was forced to
leave. I layde me downe upon the bed allmost overcome w tt
discontent arisinge partly of my wearinesse etc. I could not
bringe my minde to think seariously of any good tliinge, but it
beganne to wander & be idle, so I arose, & knelt downe to
praye againe, but could not ; then I endeavored to praye
standinge, & so strivinge w th the Lord for helpe ag 1181 my weak-
ness . At last he enabled me to my full content, & then my
heart gave in, & I renounced my beloved pleasures, & was
willinge to denye my selfe ; then was my minde & conscience at
sweet rest, & I desired nothinge so much as Christ Jesus & the
fellowship of his holy Spirit ; then my soule despised &
abhorred my former beloved vanityes ; then was I content to
be at Gods allowance, that I might enioye his love & the light
of his countenance, althoughe it were w th bread & water. Then

1 This seems to be Boxsted, a parish in Suffolk County, not far from Lavenham. It
may have been intended for B oxford, which was nearer to Groton.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 103

I sawe playnely that the usuall cause of the heavinesse &
uncomfortable life of many Christians is not their religion, or
the want of outward comforts (for Gods presence in favour
brings all sufficiency w tt it, as Psal : — In thy presence there
is fullnease of Ioye &c.) but because their consciences enforce
them to leave some beloved unlawfull lib 116 before their hearts
are resolved willingly to forsake it : whereas if we could denye
of owne desires & be content to live by faithe in our God, the
Christian life would be the only merry e & sweet life of all. O
Heavenly Father I beseeche thee give me grace to watche &
be sober, & lett thy favour & my peace in it be ever of more
account w th me then all the world besides it. Amen.

w After this, settlinge myselfe to walke uprightly w th my God,
& diligently in my callinge, & havinge an heart willinge to
denye myselfe, I found the Godly life to be the only sweet life,
& my peace w^ my God to be a true heaven upon earthe. I
founde God ever p'sent w tt me, in prayer and meditation, in
the duties of my callinge, etc : I could truely loath my former
folly in preferringe the love of earthly pleasures before the love
of my heavenly father. I did wonder what madnesse was in
me, that I should leave the fellowshippe of my Saviour, to keepe
fellowshippe w th unfruitfull works of darknesse ; I was not then
troubled w** 1 the coiiion cares & desires that I was wont to be
taken up w 01 , as of food, apparell, credit, pleasure, etc: but
was well contented w th what God sent : what can I say ? I finde
a change in my heart & whole man, as apparent as from dark-
nesse to light. God of his mercie continue & increase it. I
finde w^all that I was readye upon every obiect or occasion, to
embrace the delight in earthly things againe, w° h I see plainly
will soone gett w tb in me againe, if I slacke my watchfullnesse
never so little, so as I resolve by Gods grace to keepe my heart
w 4 * 1 all diligence, & to sett a watche over my mouthe, eyes,
ears, etc, when I am alone, in companyc, at home, abroad, in
every business, service of God, etc. O Lord my God, for
Jesus Christ his sake inable me heerunto, and strengthen the
poore weake faithe of thy unworthy servant.

104 LIFE AND LETTERS

"Before the week was gone about I beganne to lose my
former affections, I uphelde the outward dutyes, but the power
& life of them was in a manner gone ; I prayed as I was wont,
but I could not finde that comfort & feelinge w^ I had ; I did
the dutieS of my Callinge, but not so cheerfully & fruitfully :
& still the more I prayed & meditated, etc : the worse I grewe,
the more dull, unbelievinge, vaine in heart, etc : so as I waxt
exceeding discontent & impatient, beinge sometymes ready to
frett & storme ag* God because I founde not that blessinge
upon my prayers & other meanes that I did expecte ; -but O Lord
forgive me : Searchinge my heart at last, I founde the world
had stollen away my love from my God, & that I was growne
from depending upon him to trust to my prayers & outward
dutyes, & so not diligently observing my heart, as I should
have done, the devill had gotten w^in me, & had deceived me.
Then I acknowledged my unfaithfullnesse & pride of heart, &
turned againe to my God, & humbled my soule before him,
& he returned, & accepted me, & so I renewed my Covenant of
walking w 111 my God, & watchinge my heart & waves. O my
God, forsake me not.

"When I had some tyme abstained from suche worldly
delights as my heart most desired, I grewe very melancholick
& uncomfortable, for I had been more careful to refraine from
an outward conversation in the world, then to keepe the love
of the world out of my heart, or to uphold my conversation in
heaven ; w c ? caused that my comfort in God failinge, & I not
daringe to meddle w th any earthly delights, I grewe into a
great dullnesse & discontent: w ch beinge at last perceived, I
examined my heart, & findinge it needfull to recreate my minde
vr* some outward recreation, I yielded unto it, & by a moderate
exercise herein was muche refreshed ; but heere grewe the mis-
chiefe : I perceivinge that God & mine owne conscience did
alowe me so to doe in my need, I afterwards tooke occasion,
from the benefite of Christian lib tie , to pretend need of recrea-
tion when there was none, & so by degrees I ensnared my heart

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 105

80 farre in worldly delights, as I cooled the graces of the spirit
by them : Whereby I perceive that in all outward comforts,
althoughe God allowe us the use of the things themselves, yet
it must be in sobriety, & of hearts must be kept free, for he is
jealous of of love, & will not endure any pretences in it,

"Havinge occasio of conference w tt a Christian friend or 2,
God bo blessed it unto us, as we were all much quickened &
refreshed by it ; the matter of of conference was not doubtfull
questions to exercise of witts, etc : but a familiar examination
of o r owne experiences. Growinge dull in prayer, & unwill-
inge thereunto, I founde one great cause to be, that I was dis-
couraged, because I could not find that my prayers were heard ;
thereupon examininge farther I founde the cause of that to be,
that I had not prayed in faith, as well as in affection of desire,
for I remembred that where I was wont to come to God in
assurance to be heard because of his promise, I knewe then
that my prayers were answered, & I came many tymes w to as
good a will to prayer, as I was wonte, when being hungry,
to come to my meals. Wherefore O Lord I beseeche thee
strengthen & increase my faithe.

"Lookinge over some lettres of kindnesse that had passed
between my first wife & me, & beinge thereby affected w^ the
remembrance of that entire & sweet love that had been some-
tymes between us, God brought me by that occasion in to suche
» heavenly meditation of the love betweene Christ & me, as
lavished my heart w* unspeakable ioye ; methought my soule
had as familiar & sensible society w 01 him, as my wife could
We w* the kindest husbande ; I desired no other happinesse
hut to be embraced of him ; I held nothinge so deere that I was
not willinge to parte w tt for him ; I forgatt to looke after my
supper, & some vaine things that my heart lingered after before ;
then came such a calme of comforte over my heart, as revived
my spirits, sett my minde & conscience at sweet liberty & peace :
I thought upon that speeche of the Churche, Cant. 5. 2. — It

14

106 LITE AND LETTERS

is the voice of my welbeloved that knockethe, &c : O, there's
my husband (saies the lovinge wife) &c : then she runnes, then
she ioyes, out of the armes goes the childe, awaye goes every
impedim?, she hathe enough that she heares his voice, whom
hir soute loves : O my Lord howe did my soule mealt w m ioye
when thou spakest to the heart of thy poore unworthy hand-
mayd ! — ffurther when I considered of suche lettres as my wife
had written to me, & observed the scriblinge hande, the meane
congruitye, the false orthog ; & broken sentences, etc : & yet
founde my heart not onely acceptinge of them but delighting in
them, & esteeminge them above farre more curious woorkman-
ship in an other, & all from hence, that I loved hir ; It made
me thinke thus w tt myselfe : Can I doe thus through that
droppe of affection that is in me, &c : & will not my Lord &
husband Ch: Jesus (whose love surpassethe knowledge, & is
larger than the ocean) accept in good parte the poorest testi-
monies of my love & dutye towards him ? O if I had faithe
to believe this, how abundant comfort would it afford me in my
weakest services, since they are sent up to him that lookes not
at the forme or phrase, etc : but findinge them to come from one
in whom he delights, he accepts w ! . h all favour the sincere sim-
plicity of the heart, & covers all imperfections w" 1 the skirt of
his love. O my God increase my weake faithe I humbly pray
thee.

"This affection continued still w th me, & the love of Christ
was ever in my heart, & drewe me to be more enamoured of
him. Then I ofte remembred that in Jer : 2. 2. I remembred
thee w^ the kindnesse of thy youth, & the love of thy mariage,
&c : w ch made me to recall to my view the love of my earthly
mariages, w c . h the more I thought upon, the more sensible I
grewe of the most sweet love of my heavenly husband, Christ
Jesus ; his spirit persuaded my heart, that if I could so entirely
affecte & delight in suche as I had not labouied for &c : onely
for this consideration that they were to become a parte of my
selfe ; needs must his love towards me be exceedinge measure,

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 107

that had made me, died for me, sweatt water & bloud for me,
etc, & marled me to himselfe, so as I am become truely one w* h
him : then I was persuaded that neither my sinnes nor infirmi-
ties could putt me out of his favour, he havinge washed a wave
the one w* his owne bloud, & coveringe the other w* his un-
changeable love : This comfort that I had in his sweet love
drewe me to deale w th him as I was wont to doe w 4 ? my earthly
welbeloved, who beinge ever in the eye of my affection, I
greedily imployed everye opportunitye to be a messinger of the
manifestation of my love, by lettres, &c : so did I now w m my
deare lord Christ; I delighted to meditate of him, to praye
to him, & to the Father in him (for all was one w th me), to
remember his sweet promises, etc : for I was well assured that
he tooke all that I did in good parte. I considered that he was
suche an one as should ever be livinge, so as I might ever love
him, & allwayes present, so as there should be no griefe at
partinges : O my Lord, my love, how wholly delectable art
thou ! lett him kisse me w^ the kisses of his mouthe, for his
love is sweeter than wine : how lovely is thy countenance ! how
pleasant are thy embracings ! my heart leapes w th in me for ioye
when I heare the voice of thee my Lord, my love, when thou
sayest to my soule, thou art hir salvation. O my God, my
kinge, what am I but dust ! a worme, a rebcll, & thine enemie
was I, wallowinge in the bloude & filthe of my sinnes, when
thou didest cast the light of thy Countenance upon me, when
thou spreadest over me the lappe of thy love, & sayedst that I
should live. Then didest thou washe me in the everflowinge
fountaine of thy bloud, thou didest trinie me as a bride prepared
for hir husbande, my clothinge was thy pure righteousnessc,
thou spakest kindlye to the heart of thy most unworthy ser-
vant, & my fleshe grewe like the fleshe of a young childe, etc :
And now lett me ever be w" 1 thee, O my Eedeemer, for in thy
presence is ioye, & at thy right hande are pleasures foreVer-
more. Shadowe me, & guide me w th thy love, as in the days
of my mariage, that I may never swerve from thee to runne
after earthly vanityes that are lyeinge & will not profitt.

108 LIFE AND LETTERS

Wholye tjiine I am (my sweet Lo : Jesus) unworthy (I
acknowledge) so much honor as to wipe the dust off the feet
of my Lord & his welbeloved spouse, in the day of the glad-
nesse of their heart, yet wilt thou honor me w tt the society e of
thy manage chamber. Behould, all yee beloved of the Lord,
knowe & embrace w* ioye this unspeakable love of his towards
you. God is love, assuredly.

[ w I doe finde by experience of some good tyme, that a spare
diett, & abstinence from worldly delights, is a great meanes of
keepinge bothe bodye & minde fitt & lively to holye duties ; I
was wont, when I supped liberally, that I was sleepye &
unweeldye in my familye exercises, & nowe, when I eate but
little (& that ordinarily but bread & beere), I am* cheerful &
unweariable in them.] 1

w The unspeakable comfort that I had in the former sweet
comunion w tt my Lord Jesus Christ filled me with such ioye,
peace, assurance, boldnesse, etc, as I was many tymes readye
to incline into the other extreme of lightnesse & securitye, but
God gave me grace, when I beganne to wax wanton, to looke
into my sinnes & corruptions, & by the consideration of them
I was after kept under, &c.

"July 13. Beinge the Sabaothe daye, findinge some tyme
before that all was not well betweene my God & me, w° h I per-
ceived by the couldnesse of my prayers, & the unquietnesse &
tremblinge of my conscience, & the lightnesse & continuall
wanderings of my heart, I sighed & groned often, prayinge
earnestly that God would open my heart, & lett me see what
it was that did so disturbe my peace, &c. I often set to

1 These brackets are in the original. Bread and beer might seem to us nowadays
rather a coarse supper; but coffee and tea were unknown in England at that day.
" The first cup of coffee ever drank in England" is said to have been drunk at Oxford
in the year 1637 ; and the introduction of tea was some years later. — Our English
Home: Oxford, 1860, pp. 189, 190.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 109

examine my heart but could not, I was still caricd awaye w tt
wanderinge thoughts, etc, but at last it pleased God by little
& little to affecte my heart, & to bringe me to the sight of my
selfe ; & then did I see as evidently as the sunne when it shines,
that my heart was withdrawne from my God, the fleshe had
prevailed ag * 1 the spirit, & had drawne me into a lukewarme
religio, servinge God & yet seekinge greedily the ease & plea-
sure of my wanton & idle fleshe, w°. h had made me cast off the
life of every dutye, & had turned all zeale into a counter-
feit discreation. And my conscience did especially accuse me
for my remissnesse in my callinge of magistracie, in that I had
not been painfull in the findinge out & zealous in the punish-
inge of sinne ; & for that I spent my dayes so idlely & unpro-
fitable, grvinge too muche tyme to sleepe, recreations, &c.
Thereupon I prayed earnestly unto the Lord for pardon, & for
grace to hate these my sinnes, & to amende them, & I promised
& covenanted w* the Lord to be more zealous & diligent, & to
walke more constantly w th him, and I desired the Lord that
when so ever I should decline from this Covenant, that I might
not have any peace, but feele his anger untill I were returned
againe.

"After this I was as one weaned from his mothers breasts,
my comfort & peace w* my God returned, I had bouldnesse &
confidence in prayer, then againe did I finde that the only
sweet estate was to walke w* God & be upright : & the only
safe estate to denye my selfe, the worlde, &c, & to holde this
idle wanton fleshe unto its taske, & to keepe watche unto
sobrietye. O Lord I beseech thee, continue this in the purpose
& heart of thy servant forever : cause me to looke ever to thy
service & glorye. Thou (I am assured) wilt looke to my com-
forte : whatsoever thou doest w tt me, give me not up to the
Tilde slaverye of the world & the fleshe : O Lord I am thy
servant.

" Remittinge my care & watche, & givinge lib Ue to the fleshe,

110 UFE AND LETTERS

I was againe unsettled, & then my conscience could swallowe
foule faults w^out any great remorse, when as sometynies it
would have stucke at the least evill. I returned to my selfe
againe & renewed my repentance. I resolved to keepe a better
watche, & to holde under the fleshe by temperate diet, & dili-
gence in my callinge, for I founde that there was no peace in
any other course. All pleasures are vanytye in the use & vex-
atio in the ende, & the fruit of idlenesse is shame & guiltincsse.
It wounded my heart in the eveninge when I looked backe &
sawe the daye misspent in the service of the worlde, & in fullfill-
inge the will of my fleshe. Disuse in any good thinge causethe
the greatest unwillingnesse & unfitnesse ; I sawe it was saufeste
for me ever to be well doinge, & to be fully resolved of Gods
good allowance of all that passeth either mouths, heart or
hande ; faith would teache me to looke to approve my selfe to
God in every thinge, & so to goe on, according to the occasion
of every dutye, & leave the successe to God. But O my
unbeliefe & my fearfullnesse ! Lord strengthen my faith, &
incourage thou me.

w Upon this last resolution I setled my selfe to my study, &
to suche duties as I was necessarily occasioned unto, & so by
Gods assistance I kept my peace, &c, meetly well for all that
weeke followinge ; for I was ready upon every occasion to starte
aside, yet keepinge a carefull watche over my hearte, I quickly
perceived when it was straglinge, & so the sooner brought it in
againe.

w I plainly perceive that when I am not helde under by some
affliction, either outward or inwarde, then I must make my
fleshe doe its full taske in the duties of my callinge, or suche
other service wherein it takes no pleasure. Otherwise it will
waxe wanton & idle, & then findinge sweetnesse in earthly
thinges it will growe so weary of Gods yoake, as it will not be
| borne any longer, except the fleshe by stronge hande be brought
under againe.

"Somctymes my faithe hathe been so deadhearted in the

OF JOHN WINTHEOP. Ill

promises as no raeanes could quicken me up to apprchende
the mercies of God, although but in the ordinary e sence of my
Bines. At an other tyme againe, God hathc lett in upon my
heart suche a floud of mercie as in the quickest sight of sinne
that ever I had I could not have been brought to make question
of pardon. And upon such an offer I have first layde holde of
mercye & forgivenesse, & after turned to the acknowledginge &
bewaylinge of my sinnes : for there is no confession so franke
as that w 4 * comes from the sence of free pardon.

w Order & observatio makes many duties easye w ch otherwise
wilbe very tedious & difficult.

" A wilde colte must be well tamed in the ploughe, & then
a childe may backe him ; so this wanton heart of o™ till it be
well tamed w tt afflictions, or suche duties in of callings as are
not pleasinge nor easy to the fleshe, there is no mlinge it ; it
will neither be kept to prayer, nor hearinge, nor meditation, etc ;
but it will flinge out 20 wayes, & be runninge ag l every wall,
&c : but beinge thoroughly tempered & tamed, &c, it will goe
on quietly & soberly in any dutye. It is great wisdome for a
Christian to keepe the fleshe ever under by service that it may
be sober, for if it gett lib Uo there is no rulinge of it : An unruly
horse will more weary himselfe in one miles travaile then a
sober horse in 10 : so it is when we goe about any dutye where
of hearts looke for their lib Ue .

*My disposition is ever fittest upon the first apprehension
of any thinge ; if it once hange of hande, & that I begine
once to beat my head about it, & meet w 01 any rubbe or
discouragement, I cannot for my life proceed to make any
dispatche, &c ; as in writinge of lettres, &c, whilest I have
some tymes been over carefull & studious for the forme, I have
cleane lost bothe my matter & invention, & on the other side
when I have gone on w" 1 more readinesse & lesse curiositie,
I have doone farre better in conclusion bothe for matter &
forme.

112 LIFE AND LETTERS

W I have observed that in all my exercises of conscience,
when I have been most frighted with guiltinesse of sinne, my
carelessenesse in hearinge Gods worde hathe muche more trou-
bled me then my carelesse & could prayer ; & my omissions more
then my commissions; & the omittinge mercie & the dutyes
of my callinge of magistracie more then all thinges besides.

W I finde often tymes that cominge out of good companie,
I am sometymes more disquieted, other tymes more unsetled
then before : what the reason should be I knowe not, except
that beinge taken up w th too muche regard of their persons,
I neglect to watche well over my heart ; or that God sends it
as a punishm* upon me, for not makingc that good use of such
companye as I ought ; or whither their godlinesse dothe stirre
up & checke some secret evill w^in me that disquiets my
minde.

w I have observed that after a gleame of any speciall ioye,
whither in heavenly things or in earthly, there hathe followed
a storme of dumpishnesse & discomfort, that hathe abolished
the memorye of the former ioye ; but especially when I have
suffered my heart to take too much ioye in any earthly thinge, I
have been sure (for the most parte) in the turninge, to meet
w 01 a fitt of melancollike discontent, that hathe beene farre
more burdensome then the other was pleasinge ; so as I thinke
it good wisdome for me to keepe to a mcane in my ioyes, espe-
cially in worldly things ; moderate comforts being constant &
sweeter, or saufer, then suche as beinge exceedinge in measure
faile as much in their continuance ; for they beinge waysted
by passion, are resolved into payne, even as the bodye is most
sensible of could, when it hathe beene thoroughlyest warmed
by the heat of the fire.

w My heart getting loose one Sab : daye throughe want of
due watchfullnesse & firme resolutio, it gate so deepe into the
world as I could not get it free, but it followed me to Churche

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 113

& home againe ; but heer was not all the hurt of it, for I foundc
evidently, that this sufferinge my heart to take lib* 6 to the pro-
faning of the Sabaothe, made it utterly unfitt for dutye all the
week followinge, so as it cost me muche strife & heartsmart
before I could bringe it into order againe ; therefore I purpose,
by Gods grace, to keepe a better watche over my heart upon
the Sabaothe.

* The onely meanes to keepe of hearts from beinge taken up
& cumbered w* the thoughts & cares of worldly things is, to
gett of treasure in heaven, for where of treasure is, there will
our hearts be. Luke : 12.

"Novemb : 1617. I went to London, not so well prepared
for suche a iournie as had been meet, & it was a monthe before
I returned, wherein God had muche mercie upon me, preserv-
inge me & bringinge me home in safety; yet my soule was
waxed leaner, &• my love & faithe muche decayed, as I did
suspecte wliile I was gone, yet could not so evydently perceive
as when I came to settle to mine ordinary course at home.
But above all I founde my faithe to be very muche shaken, w *
was throughe want of carefull nourishinge of it in the medita-
tion of the worde of God. Oh I see, if we leave, or slightly
exercise o r selves in the worde, Faithe will starve & die, & oT
hearts imbrace any dotages of mans braine sooner* then Gods
etemall truethe, as I founde by dangerous experience : O Lord
forgive my great infidelytie & forgettfullnesse of thy goodnesse,
& stablishe me w** thy truethe. Oh that I might ever have a
care to looke to my Faithe as I would doe to my life ; & thanks
be to the Lord that dothe not forsake me.

W I founde this .experience while I was at London, that
havinge there no matters to distract my minde, but beinge
free from my ordinary cares & temptations w* h I was wont to
meet w* at home ; as I had ease & leisure, & little or no occa-
sion of sorrowe through my faintings, &c, under temptation, w° h
I was wont to meet w* at home ; so on the other side I founde
as slender comforte, & fewe or noe quicknings or stirrings of the

14

114 UFE AND LETTERS

Spirit in me, but was still & quiet, w^out any great sence either
of guilt or peace ; whence I gather that he w* h would hare suer
peace & ioye in Christianitye, must not ayme at a condition
retyred from the world & free from temptations, but to knowe
that the life w* h is most exercised w* 11 tryalls & temptations is
the sweetest, & will prove the safeste. For such tryalls as fall
w^in compasse of of callinges, it is better to arme Sf vPstande
them then to avoide & shunne them. I founde as readye &
familiar accesse to God in prayer, singinge, &c, in my travaile,
as if I had been in my chamber, & it is an excellent meanes
to season the heart, & to shorten the tediousnesse of the
iournie.

w Still I finde by continuall experience that the usuallest
thinge that turnes me out of my course & breakes off my peace
w 01 my God is the imbracinge the love of earthly thinges, &
seekinge a kind of secure & commodious settlinge in these
thinges ; w** as it greatly delights the wanton fleshe, so it as
fast quenchethe all delight & appetite to heavenly thinges ; it
blinds the iudgement, takes awaye all affection, & dulles all
gifts bothe of bodye & minde, makinge all unservisable, &c :
I still pray, O Lord, crucifie this world unto me, for suerly the
love of thee & the love of the world canot stand togither.

" I have founde this infallibly true by ofte experience since,
& I am fully resolved, that if I will keepe the love of God, I
must cast quite off the love of the world.
\*»

"I finde it a niost difficult thinge to use constantly the prac-
tice of meditatio, the want whereof is an occasion that I am
ofte unsettled, for suche thoughts & considerations as doe keepe
the heart well ordered will passe & vanishe awaye if they be
not revived & uphelde by meditatio. O my God helpe &
inable me.

w I was wonte to be muche disquieted w th feare of reproache
& of an ill name w 01 the moste where I lived, so as I have been
drawne by suche foolish respects to doe or leave undone many

OF JOHN WOTHROP. 115

things to the woundinge of my conscience ; especially to avoide
a suspition of ingratitude, basenesse, unfriendlynesse, &c. But
the Lord openinge my heart to consider of the vanytie of all
niche things, as that they are trifles of no continuance, & of
leaste benefite (as if we thinke of suche as we knewe that are
nowe dead & gone, who whilst they lived were also either taken
np w 4 * suche vaineglorious conceipts, whereof they neither had
any true eomforte whilest they lived, nor being dead have
retained any fruit, or left any memorye of them,) I see it is
the best wisdome for a Christian to labour to approve himselfe
to God in keeping faithe & a good conscience, w c . h wilbe a
readye comfort to a man in his life, & will bide w tb him after
deathe, & to sett light by the unprofitable & sucr-fadinge favour
of the world, w ? 1 a Christian man may as well be w th out, as a
gent, may spare a kennell of hounds, & w th w c . h , he that will
have it, shall never want a disquiett minde. I will save w th
Paul, I passe not for mans iudgment.

w 0b : A good name is to be sought after &c : Ans : Walke
V* God, & never feare but thou shalt be honored of the
Godlye.

W I have observed, that after some true woorke of mercic, I
have founde speciall operation of Gods spiritt.

"0 what a difference there is betweene the reigne of the

fleahe & of the spirit ; that like the reigne of Ahaz full of

troubles, full of shiffts, & helplesse ; but this like Solomons,

plentifull, peaceable, &c,. When the fleshe hathe prevailed in

me, all hathe been out of order, full of blindnesse, slouthe,

vanytye of minde, captivitye to sinne, strangeness towards my

God, a guiltie heart inclininge to % rebellion, no comfort in

prayer, no delight nor savour in the worde, no ioye in Christ,

etc ; 8ometymes secure in carnall ioyes, & on the suddaine as

uncomfortably deiected; discontented w* 11 everythinge; still

taken up w* earthly cares, feares, desires, Ac, all for the

bellye, the glory e, &c, (in a worde) all unhappie. But the

spirit renewinge his strengthe, brought a newe face of all

things w** it, & was to the whole man & conversation, as the

116 LIFE AND LETTERS

authoritye of Mordecay to the afflicted Jewes, ioye & glad-
nesse, peace w* God, peace w* 11 heart, peace w* all : my soule
yieldinge itselfe to God in the acknowledgment of its owne
unworthynesse, could yet comfortably repose it selfe in the
merits of Christ; nowe could it abhorre & tremble at the
memorye of its former vanityes & ungodlinesse : nowe could
it mealt into teares & sighes to remember its unkindnesse &
ingratitude; now could praye w tt confidence, & yet in feare
& reverence ; nowe Christ onely was desired, as my onely por-
tion, my conversation was in heaven, & God was my refuge,
whatsoever occasio was offered to affright me. O that I could
ever walk in the spirit.

"Ever ag 1 a Communion, the neerer it grewe, the more
would Sathan labour to unfitt me for it, seekinge to diminishe
the reverende account & singular benefite of it, & so to steale
from me all appetite unto it ; & w^all pcrsuadinge me that I
was sufficiently prepared unto it, when (upon better considera-
tion w ch God in mercie hathe brought me unto, in my order of
p r paring my family e) I have founde myselfe muche wantinge,
& especially in desire & appetite unto it, for w ch particular I
meane to examine my heart better heerafter (by Gods grace),
Amen.

" My heart beinge againe overtaken, & forward in the thinges
of the world, as pleasures, ease, eatinge & drinkinge &c, I lost
my sweet peace w 01 my God ; the more my heart delighted in
& lingered after the former things, the more unquietnesse &
anguishe of minde grewe upon me : faine I would haue had my
peace againe, but could not gett my heart to seeke it earnestly ;
amonge other things I looked over some things w ch I had written
heere before, concerninge the manifestatio of Christs love unto
me, my unspeakable ioye therein, & the advised & cheerful
Covenants that thereupon I had made, for walking w m my God
in faithe & holynesse, deniall of the world & myselfe &c :
when I considered w^all how I had broken those Covenants,

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 117

Low unkindly I had requited my good God, &c, it brake iny
heart, & forced me to an humble & searious submission, in
abundance of teares ; I truely & cleerly sawe my follye, in set-
tinge so muche by this vaine world, & esteemingc to satisfic the
intemperate desires of this wanton fleshe ; I renewed my former
Covenants w* my God, whom I beseech (for Ch : sake) to
incourage & inhable me to performance.

* Jan : 10, 1617. Afterwards findinge myselfe snared by the
worlde, I could not be at rest untill by readinge Mr. Boultons
discourse of true happinesse, I was brought to a more thorough
discoverye of my sinfull heart & wayes, & thereupon to more
eounde repentance & resolution of reformation ; when againe
upon sounde deliberation beinge free from all passion, or
oppression of melancholie, I did quietly, cheerfully & absolutely
regigne up myselfe againe unto my God, covenantinge to walke
faithfully w 01 him, & prayeing fervently yet w tb out any distem-
per of affection, &c, that he would rather take me out of the
worlde or cast me into any affliction, sicknesse, povertye, dis-
grace, or whatsoever, so himselfe would not faile me in them,
then to give me up to the slaverye of the worlde, to mine ould
profane, idle, voluptuous, & foolishe heart ; & so I begge still
of him for the Lo : Jes : sake.

"ffeb. I kept on my course but yet up & downe, for the

fleshe still gathered to itselfe, & sought its ownc ease, pleasure,

glorye, &c, & my heart grewe towards the worlde againe, so

as the sweet relishe & estimation of Christ & salvation was

even gone, untill God againe opened mine eyes to see my carnal

affections, my slouthfulnesse, vanitye of minde, pride, false-

heartednesse, infidelitye ; no love to him in Christ, nor love to

his saintes ; my too muche account & estimation of the worlde,

too busylye imployinge my thoughts in caringe for & delightinge

in earthly things: so as I am thoroughly persuaded that the

love of the worlde even in a smale measure, will coole, if not

kill, the life of sinceritye in Religion, & will abolishe the verye

118 LIFE AND LETTERS

memorye of heavenly affections : O Lord, cruclfie the world
onto me, that though I cannot avoyd to live amonge the baites &
snares of it, yet it may be so truely dead unto me & I unto it,
9a I may no otherwise love, use, or delight in any the most
pleasant, profitable, &c, earthly comforts of this life, then I doe
the ayre w ch I continually drawe in, or the earthe w 4 * I ever tread
upon, or the skye w° h I ever behould. O why should I doate
w to greater affection on other thinges w** are of lesse use ?

w I purpose by Gods grace to meditate more often upon the
certainty & excellencye of my everlastinge happinesse through
Christ, & of the vanitye & perill of all worldlye felicitye. This
one thinge I observe w 11 ^, that whilest we seeke to make o r
earthly habitations comodious for the ease, quiet, & outward
comfort of of lives, we doe but provide for the encrease of o r
sorrowe, for by suche meanes we doe the more animate & arme
the fleshe ag? the spirit, so as it will cost us the more strife to
mortifie it & holde it under. Lord teach me wisdome from
hence.

w Upon searchc of my heart, & the sight of my secret sinnes
& corruptions w ch still prevayled against me, I grewe into much
feare, discomfort, & heavynesse. I was w%ut ioye ; in God I
could finde none, (I seemed so unworthye) ; In worldly things
I durst take none (althoughe the devill did make me continuall
& large offers,) but resolved w th myselfe rather to continue in
my perplexed estate then to have helpe by any other meanes
then from the Lorde ; so I prayed earnestly & gave my selfe to
waite w th patience, & in due tyme I found, accordinge to that
of the Prophet Esaye 30. 15. , in quietnesse & confidence was my
strength.

" When I have enioyed sweet peace vr* my God then I have
been shye of the smalest occasions of offending him, & have
readylie & cheerfully denyed myne owne will, delight, content,
& credite, &c ; but afterwardes when my peace was gone, & I

OJP JOHN WINTHBOP. 119

bad lost my lib"* of heart & comunion w to Christ, then I fell to
them againe, & althoughe I could remember that I had formerly
shunned them, &c, yet I could not then finde what it should be
that should make me part w* things of so great necessitye &
use as then I esteemed them : but againe so soone as my peace
returned upon any renewinge of my repentance, & that the love
of God was shedd abroad in my heart, &c, then I could see
cause enoughe to make me willingly to contemne greater mat-
Ion : For suerly there is no treasure like a good conscience, no
pleasure like the fellowshippe w* Christ Jesus, no ioye on earthe
like the Comunion of Saints : methought it was a happinesse
unmatchable, that I could quietly repose my heart in the bedd
of Gods promises; — w*? I never could doe but when I had
fully denyed & given over myselfe unto him, & still as I sought
myselfe God lefte me.

*Havinge been longe wearied w* discontent for want of suche
Employment as I could find comfort & peace in, I founde at last
that the conscionable & constant teachinge of my familye was a
special! businesse, wherein I might please God, & greatly fur-
ther their & mine own salvation, w ch might be as sufficient
incouragement to my studye & labour therein as if I were to
teache a publick Congregation ; for as to the pleasing of God
it was all one, & I perceived that my exercise therein did stirre
up in me many considerations & muche life of affection, w**
otherwise I should not so often meet vr 01 ; so as I purpose by
Gods assistance, to take it as a chiefe parte of my callinge, &
to intende it accordingly.

" God by his great mercie brought me to a sight of my sinnes,
& so to repentance, never (I hope) to be repented of, true Re-
pentance, sweet thoughe sharpe repentance ; O most happic, &
wholesome Repentance, more welcome to me then all earthly
pleasures, — for want of it (it havinge been longe absent) my
poore soule was allmost famished; when by it God opened
before mine eyes the state of my soule, O what a poluted con-

120 UFE AND LETTERS

science found I ; what impure affections, what unruly desires,
what blindnesse of minde, what fearfull hardnesse of heart, w*
althoughe, it were shaken & stirred to consideration & slight
relentings, sometymes ofte in a day by occasion of readinge, or
prayer, &c, yet it soone shooke off all suche motions, & grewe
more stiff necked ag* God, untill it was allmost at that passe
that it could not repente : But when it pleased God to have
mercye upon me, & to sett my wickednesse upon me, I thought
then suerly he would be doone w* me, for my former boldneese
in sinninge & daliance w^ the breache of his Coniandements :
but I founde him more gracious then I durst conceive, or make
use of for the present ; my former rebellion, ingratitude, self
love, sloutlie, carnallitie, tyme servinge, &c, came so freshe
before me, & shewed so foul & odious unto me : Oh that not
onely my eyes, but that my very heart could melt in teares,
that I might mourne night & daye for my sinnes ag* my good
Father. O when shall I be ridde of the burthen of this sinful
fleshe ! Would any that had knowne the sweet mercies that I
had received from him, ever have beleeved that I should have
turned from him, to goe roaminge after worldly pleasures?
Could I so soone forgett the pleasures, etc, w ch his presence
was wont to afforde me, as I had learned out of Psal : 16. &
36. & prov : 3.

" Amongst other sinnes w° h I founde in my selfe, I sawe my
great unbeleefe was one of the cheifest, for I had not nourished
my faithe in Christ & in his worde, but had given waye to
doubtinge & distrust so farre, as I had necre lost the use of
Gods worde, w ch althoughe I continued to read daily e, yet my
faithe was so weakned through difficulties & delayes, as I had
lefte off to live by faithe in the worde : & so for want of faithe
my prayers failed, my meditations, readinge, & all grewe
teadious & unprofitable, I had no heart to any Christian dutye,
I thoughte all was in vaine. Heerupon I prayed earnestly &
mourningly to have my faithe strengthened, & God soone
heard me & by occasion in my familye exercises, I fealt my

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 121

faithe beginne to revive as a man out of a dreame. I acknow-
ledged the infallible truthe & certainty of Gods most pure &
perfecte worde ; my heart leaped w ft in me when I considered it,
I embraced it, I cast my selfe in to it : aa*fast as temptations
came either to feare, doubt, of difficultie or danger, &c, the
very first thought of Gods worde, Gods trueth, did easyly dis-
pell them ; & whereas before all my care was to gather peace
to my heart from the smalnesse of my infirmities &c, nowe my
comforte was in bringinge them (smale or great) unto the bloud
of Christ, & by applyinge the promise I founde howe the crim-
son 8innes might be made white as well as the palest-coloured,
Gods trueth caried all before it : I founde my heart, upon this
meditation, willinge to sett upon any dutye, whilest I behelde
my warrant in Gods book : & whereas sometymes many things
did discourage me from dutye, as the iudgm* of the greatest
parte, the unlikelynesse of successe, the evill acceptation of
others, the feare of losse, disgrace, health, &c, now I remem-
bred what Christ sayed, 'Woe to the world because of offences,
& blessed are they that shall not be offended in me : ' I per-
ceived that these & suche like rubbes to of faithe were the
offences that Christ dothe partly e meane there, & I see that
they that will take offence from the opinion of others, their
owne corrupt reason, comon experience, &c, shall never enioye
the comforte of livinge by faithe, for the Childe of God must
breake throughe all these & saye w to Paul, Rom : Let

God be true & every man a liar. O Lord I have sinned in
that I have not beleeved thy worde that I might sanctifie thy
name before thy people, but by thy grace I shall not dare heer-
after once to doubt of thy holy & eternall truethe : Let it be
sufficient encouragem* & warrant to me in any thinge, that it is
thy Comandm', thy promise &c.

n Resist the Devill & he will flee from you : this have I found
true by ofte experience, for whereas upon the Sabbaothe & in
hearinge of the worde &c, my heart would be most pestered
w** worldly thoughts, &c, so as I should have stronge desires

16

122 LIFE AND LETTEBS

to be thinkinge of some suche things at those tymes, w** at
other tymes I should not regarde ; & from these snares I could
not free myselfe, until it pleased the Lord, in prayer, to disco-
ver unto me that it^nras Satan that did thus followe me w* his
assaults ; whereupon I sett myselfe ag* him by applyinge such
places of scripture, as did best oppose his temptations : & thus
doeinge, I have ofte tymes had my heart set at lib* 76 from suche
worldly thoughts & other his snares : The Lorde be praysed
forever."

OF JOHN WINTHROF. 123

CHAPTER VII.

THIRD MARRIAGE. THE TTNDAL FAMILY. LETTERS OF WINTHROP

AND OTHERS.

In the year 1618, John Winthrop was once more esta-
blished in domestic life. His third wife was Margaret
Tyndal, daughter of Sir John Tyndal, knight, of Great
Maplested, in the county of Essex. This has been
correctly supposed to be the same Sir John Tyndal who
had been assassinated two years before by a man named
Bertram, on account of a decision, involving only the
trifling sum of two hundred pounds, in a case which had
been referred to Sir John as a Master in Chancery.
Bertram, it seems, shot him in the back just as he was
entering his chamber in Lincoln's Inn, and then hung
himself in prison before he could be brought to trial.
Lord Bacon, then Sir Francis Bacon, and Attorney-Gene-
ral of the Crown, examined the case soon afterwards ;
and wrote as follows to the favorite, Villiers, afterwards
Duke of Buckingham: —

"I send, therefore, the case of Bertram, truly stated and
collected, and the examination taken before myself and Mr.
Solicitor : whereby it will appear to his majesty, that Sir John
Tyndal, as to his cause, is a kind of martyr ; for, if ever he
made a just report in his life, this was it." *

1 Bacon's Works, London,,1824, voL v. p. 452.

124 LIFE AND LETTERS

A few days afterwards, Bacon wrote to the king him-
self, as follows : —

"For this wretched murderer, Bertram, now gone to his
place, I have, perceiving your majesty's good liking of what I
propounded, taken order that there shall be a declaration con-
cerning the cause in the King's Bench, by occasion of punish-
ment of his keeper ; and another in Chancery, upon the occa-
sion of moving for an order, according to his just and righteous
report. And yet, withal, I have set on work a good pen, and
myself will overlook it, for making some little pamphlet fit to
fly abroad in the country." 1

We know not whether this " little pamphlet " is still
in existence; but here is an original letter, which is
quite too interesting to be omitted in this connection,
and which, being found among the family papers,
removes all doubt that the murdered Master in Chan-
cery, in regard to whose fate Bacon and his royal master
took so lively an interest, was the father of Winthrop's
wife. It is a letter from her own brother, Arthur
Tyndal, then a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn, to their
widowed mother, immediately after the occurrence.

Arthur Tyndal to his Mother.
u To the right wor" the Lady Tyndale at her house in Much Maplested

in Essex.
w My deare & loveinge Mother, — It much refresheth my
sorrowfull heart to understand & see the true effects of Chris-
tianity and of Gods holy Spirit in you, which are with patience
and with a most humble humiliacon to the Almighty to beare
these more then ordinarie afflictions and to waite and expect his
mighty delivrances. He is all sufficient and wise, and as he
hath humbled us to the dust so he can and will exalt us againe,

l Bacon's Works, London, 1824, vol. vi. p. 134.

OF JOBS WIX1HB0P. 135

if -we give glory unto his name in these biner tymes of tryaD.

He hath wrought wounderously alreadie in stoppeing the

mouthes of malicious & naughtie people. For the v3de wretch

that had pretended a wronge donne to him by my father £

laboring to maintaine it, God not sufferinge the blood of h:*

aaints to lye too longe unrevenged delivered this caltiffe over t »

Sathan, who on the last Sabboth in the forenoone hanged him-

selfe in prison, in a most marvellous sort dispairinge of Gods

mercie. All the grave examiners of that busines proclaim e

my fathers integritie, and say if it had been theire case they

must have been subject to the pistol too. for they would have

donne as he did. Thus it hath pleased God to justifie my

father, & every day more & more his upprightnes will appeare.

Good mother, comfort your selfe in the Lord ; he will againe if

we make right use of this, restore us againe to comfort, so that

we repine not, but with [y]earninge affections of soule & body

love him & magnifye him in all these his woundrous workes.

I have acquainte my uncle ffirancis with your letter [who]

offerethe still mercie unto us, & we are concluded of a course

for m'administracon with which my brother Deane will thorowlie

acquainte you. The taylor cannot this weeke dispatch your

blacks, but the ribbyns and those trifells I send downe, & the

gownes shall come the next weeke or at such tyme as Betts

shall retorne with his coache. I pray remember my duty to

my good uncle your comforter & to all with you & at Dynes, &

to motion the buyinge of the reversion of the lease land to Sir

John Deane. I pray the Lord to be all our comforters.

Amen. "Your most dutifull Sonne

"Abth: Tyxdale.
"Ltncolnes Inn 22* of No: 1616."

Morant's "History of Essex County" contains an
elaborate pedigree of the Tyndal Family, running it
back to the time of Edward L, and connecting it with
more than one of the crowned heads of Europe ; and
Nichols, in his " Historical Anecdotes of the Eighteenth

126 LIFE AND LETTERS

Century," states that Sir John Tyndal, the great-grand-
father of Margaret Winthrop, and afterwards his son
Humphrey Tyndal, D.D., were actually waited upon to
assume the crown of Bohemia, as among its rightful
heirs. 1

It would have been more in keeping with the charac-
ter of Margaret, as we shall see it developed hereafter,
if her lineage could have been traced distinctly back to
the famous reformer, and translator of the Bible, Wil-
Jiam Tyndal, <5f ever-honored memory ; and an old
family pedigree does actually so trace it. In the more
authentic pedigrees of the Tyndals, however, the name
of the translator of the Bible is placed in the margin,
as one who would gladly have been included, and who
was probably a collateral relation, but as not being in
the same line of descent with Margaret's father, Sir
John. It is, however, more relevant to the family
history to notice, that the wife of Sir John was Anne
Egerton, widow of William Deane, Esq. ; from whom
the name of Deane soon afterwards found its way into
the Winthrop Family.

And here we are able to furnish a curious specimen
of the courtship of the old Puritan time, in the shape of
three original letters to Margaret Tyndal on her engage-
ment and approaching marriage. One of them is from
Winthrop's father, welcoming her as his future daughter.

i Nichols's Hist Anec., vol. ix. p. 304. Morant says, " Dr. T. Fuller (Hist of Camb.,
p. 81) relates an improbable tradition concerning Humphrey Tyndal: viz., that, in the
reign of Q. Elizabeth, he was proffered by a Protestant party in Bohemia to be made
King thereof; which he refused, alledging, That he had rather be Queen Elizabeth's
subject than a Foreign Prince." — BisL of Essex, vol. ii. p. 280.

OF JOHN TONTHROP. 127

It is written in his largest and most careful hand, and
evidently with a pen made or mended for the purpose,.
It is as follows: —

Adam Winthrop to Margaret Tyndal.

W I am, I assure you, (Gentle Mistress Margaret) airedy
* inflamed w* a fatherly Love and affection towardes you : the
"w** at the first, the only report of your modest behaviour, and
mielde nature, did breede in my heart ; but nowe throughe the
manifest tokens of your true love, & constant minde, w** I
perceyve to be setteled in you towardes my soonne, the same is
exceedingly increased in mee. So that I cannot abstaine from
expressinge it unto you by my pen in absence, w ch my tounge
and mouthe I hope shal shortely declare unto you in presence.
And then I doute not, but I shal have just cause to prayse God
• for you, and to thincke my selfc happy, that in my olde age I
dud injoye the familiar company of so virtuous and loving a
daughter ; and passe the residue of my daies in peace and quiet-
nes. For I have hetherto had greate cause to magnifie his
holy name for his loving kindenes & mercy shewed unto mee in
my children, and in those to whom they Jiave been maried ;
that bothe I have alwaies deerly loved and affected them, and
they also most lovinglye and dutifully have used mee. And
therefore I assure you (good Mistress Margaret) that whatso-
ever love and kindenes you shal vouchsafe to shewe heereafter
unto mee, I wil not only requite it w th the like, but also to the
utter most of my power redouble the same. And for that I
*oulde fayne make it a little parte of your fayth to beleeve,
™at you shal be happye in matchinge V* my soonne, I doe
heere faithfully promise for him (in the presence of almighty
God,) that he will alwaies be a most kinde and lovinge hus-
hande unto you, and a provident stuarde for you and yours
during his lyfe, and also after his deathe. Thus w* h my harty
cofiendacions to your selfe, and to the good Lady your deere
toother, confirminge my true Love and promise unto you, by a
token of a smale value, but of a pure substance, w * I sende

128 LIFE AND LETTERS

you by this trusty bearer, I doe leave you to y* protection of
the most mighty Trinitye. this last of Marche 1618. Your
assured frende "Adam Winthrop."

The two other letters axe from Winthrop himself,
written in his most characteristic vein, and full of those
earnest expressions of affection and of piety in which he.
ever delighted to indulge. The first of them, it will be
observed, has relation to some objections which Mar-
garet's family and friends had made to the match, and
which she herself seems to have resolutely resisted. The
precise nature of " the unequall conflicte " is not stated.
It would not be surprising, however, that Margaret's
brothers and sisters should have raised some question in
regard to her becoming the third wife of a man who was
as yet without any considerable fortune or fame, and who
had four young children to be taken care of. Winthrop,
it seems, was able to assure her that she could rely on a
maintenance of eighty pounds a year; which would be
equivalent to at least four hundred pounds in these days.
But religious considerations evidently turned the scale.
Margaret and her mother clearly sympathized with Win-
throp's earnest religious convictions, and would not listen
to the more worldly, or certainly more prudent, views of
others of the family. But the letter will explain
itself: —

John Winthrop to Margaret TyndaL

" To my dearest freind & most heartyly beloved M n Marg* Tyndall.

w Havinge seariously considered of that unequall conflicte w ch

for my sake thou didst lately sustaine, & wherein yet, (although

the odds were great) , God beinge on thy side, thou gatest the

victorye, I have had from hence a large provocatio to acknow-

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 129

ledge Gods providence & speciall favour towards me, & to give
him thankes for so great experience as hatlie been offred me
heerby of thy godlinesse, love, wisdome, & inviolable constancie ;
— w ch as in itselfe it deserves all approbatio, so in me it is of
suche vertue as the more I thinke of it, the more it drawes &
knitts my heart unto thee, and hathe setled that estimatio of thy
. love therein, as (I am truely persuaded) nothinge but deathe
shall abolishe or diminishe it. Such an invincible resolutio could
not have been founde in a poore fraile woman, had not thine
armes been strengthned by the mightie God of Jacob. He it
was w** gave an other spirit to thyselfe & that good Lady thy
mother, w 111 Caleb & Josuah, constantly to folio we the Lord
against all the discouragements of the greater parte, — yea when
my selfe, too cowardly & unkindly ioyned armes w th thine op-
posers against thee : But no we doe I knowe that thou lovest me,
& heerby we may bothe be fully assured that this thinge comethe
of the Lorde : Therefore it is my desire to confirme thy heart in
this resolutio ; not that I Feare any change (farre be suche a
thought from me) but for that I wishe thee a large additio of
comfort to thy constancie, w ch may molifie & heale up the scarres
of such wounds as may yet remaine of thy late conflict e. And
now I will take lib t!e to deale freely w th thee* since there is no
need of persuasio, nor any feare of suspitio of flaterye ; & let me
tell thee that as thou hast doone worthyly & Christianly, so thou
bast doone no otherwise than became thee being one professinge
to feare God & beleeve in him : for (what so ever I am or may
be, yet) beinge, in thy accompt, a servant of God & one that
thou mightest well hope to be furthered to heaven by (Amen I
say), & beinge offred unto thee by God, & thy selfe beinge as
*arrantably called to embrace the opportunitye as a woman
might be, I see not how thou couldst have had peace to thine
owne heart if thou hadst refused it ; but thou mightest iustly
have feared least, for w^drawinge thy heart from God & lean-
inge to thine owne reason, he should have given thee over to
8ome suche matche as should have proved a plauge to thy soule
*U thy dayes : Let worldly minds that savour not the things of

17

130 LIFE AND LETTERS

God, & that indeed have no parte or portion in the least of Gods
promises, bende all their care & studye to secure themselves of
an earthly happinesse ; let them make sure of great portions w th
their wives & large Ioyntures from their husbands ; they doe but
their kinde, & I confesse it concernes them very muche to looke
especially to suche things, for there is nothing else w ch they can
have comfort or happinesse in, havinge no parte in Christ & beinge
strangers from the covenant of grace ; & therefore if they should
be barred of their great hopes in these outward things, their
God, their heaven, their ioye & all, were gone, their heart would
dye w th in them like Naball : Therefore God letts suche many
tymes catche what they can scramble for, he fills their bellies
w th his hidd treasure, they live in ease & pleasure, they nourishe
their hearts as in a daye of slaughter, but he sends leannesse
into their soules, & in the ende when they are called to a recon-
inge, what fruit can they shewe forthe of all their labour, care,
etc. , but vanitye & vexatio of spirit ? And so they dye under
a secure, or tormented conscience, w ch folio wes them to their
owne place. But you,. whom God hathe ordayned to a better
ende, he lookes you should be guided by an other rule ; he telles
you that you are a pilgrhne & stranger in this life, that you
have no abidinge cytye heerc but must looke for one to come :
He w ch is your Kinge telles you that his kingdome is not of this
world, if you desire to reigne w th him in his kingdome you must
be content to be an underlinge w th him in the world's kingdome,
& must looke for afflict io hcere, for the servant must not looke
to be above the master : He telles you that the first worke in
his service is to denye y or sclfe ; he bidds you never to cheapen
about the pearlc except you be resolved to sell all for it, & never
to thinke to gctt him & his love except you can be content for
his sake to leave, yea to hate father, mother, friends, goods, &
yo r owne life : for he telles you plainly that you can not serve
2 masters ; so as if you love the world, the love of the Father
canot be in you : If you would knowe of him, who are the
blessed, looke at that 5 of Math : & amongst all those 8 beati-
tudes you shall finde never a worde of riches, or honor, or ease,

OF JOHN WJLNT11KOP. 131

etc. , but when the scripture speakes of suchc things it setts a
caveat upon them, as temptations, snares, riches of iniquitye, the
choakes of the hopes of salvatio, branded w th these 2 speciall
observations by Christ & his Apostles — * But the cares of the
world & the deceitfulnesse of Riches & the Lusts of other thinges
enter in & choake the worde, &c : ' And ' w ch while some have
lusted after, they have erred from the faithe & have pierced
themselves through w th many sorrowes.' — And tell me then
what it will profite a man to winne the worlde & to loose his
soule ? It is the dearest purchase that must cost a man the lossc
of his soule. Who would take Demas his bargaine ? And yet (no
doubt) he was of the opinio that our comon protestants are of
in tli^se dayes (who in the depthe of their devise wilbe wiser
than Christ & his Apostles,) he thought he had founde an easyer
wave to heaven then other men, he thought to save his soule &
yet keepe & love the world too : But he was deceived, & so
shall they also, for the mouthe of the Lord hathe spoken it ; let
them please themselves never so muche w th their owne conceits
in the meane tyme. No we for thee, I dare bouldly saye to thee
that thou hast doone wisely in seekinge first the kingfbme of
heaven, & making sure for the better parte w ch shall not be
taken from thee : for if it be a Rule of policie amongst the men
of this world, to adventure upon the least hope of vertue in
roche matches where there is assurance of a great portion, so as
dayly examples of the contrarye ill event cannot drive such par-
tyes from that grounde : how muche more commendable is it in
thee (& woorthy of thy profession, w ch esteemes Godlinesse as
the greatest gaine) when havinge mett w 01 (at least in thy per-
suasion) sufficient assurance of holynesse, thou canst be content
to conceive hope of outward happinesse even from doubtfull
conditions : And heerin thou canst want no incouragement for
hope of good success e, amongst so many promises & examples
as make for thy cause : Looke upon the blessinge of Salomons
choyse ; he sought onely wisdome, & God added all outward
progperitye : Consider Ruthes choyse, who for the love of the
God of Israeli forsooke hir owne countrye & friends to partake

132 LIFE AND LETTER8

w 01 the povertye of a desolate widowe : but how did God recom-
pense her in the ende ? You may see the like in Moses, who if
he had had the counsell of the wisdome of our tymes might
have looked to have kept his greatnesse in the Court, & yet not
have hindred his salvatio, nor wanted Gods favour. I need
instance no more, for the Scriptures & our owne tymes afForde
many examples, w ch all consent in this, to persuade suche as
beleeve God & have their treasure in heaven, to make sure for
salvatio, & to cast the care of their present, incertaine, transi-
torye conditio upon the love & wisdome of him that is their
father & God all-sufficient, who hathe undertaken to care for
them. And heerin I am persuaded (notwithstandinge callinge
for a diligent & faithfull use of all good meanes) that a Christian
cannot too Jboldly relye upon God whilst he yields himselfe in
obedience to his will : for it dothe so fittly agree to the nature
of a young childe, whereunto we must be like if ever we shall
come in heaven : it is so called for, in all places of Scripture, as
Psal : 37. 5. Rolle thy way upon the Lord, trust in him & he
shall bringe it to passe : the whole Psalme is excellent to this
purpose* So Phil : 4:6.7: Be carefull for nothinge, but in
every thinge by prayer & supplicatio, etc. But especially that
in Luke, 12: 22, &c: Take no thought what you shall eate,
&c : And observe how Christ urgeth that exhortatio by the
examples of the Lillies & Ravens, whence he gathers an un-
answerable argument, verse 28 : If God so clothe the grasse,
&c : will he not clothe you ? &c : The too frequent & cum-
bersome cares, feares, doubtings, etc, that the minds & mouthes
of most Christians are taken up w tb in these dayes, doe plainly
discover that men live not by faithe ; & that heaven is not their
home, when they sett so muche store by the things of this worlde.
Men are not satisfied w ,h such compctencie as God allowes them,
but hunt as eagerly after risings & incrcasings, as if it were the
onely ende of their life : when yet we are exhorted to have our
conversatio w^out covetousnesse, & to be content w th what we
have, for he hath promised that he will not faile us nor forsake
us, &c : And Salomon in all his wisdome & experience tells us

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 133

that it is the blcssinge of God that makes riche w%ut addinge
Borrowe : But the tymes seem no we to be changed, & the prises
of Salomons mcrchandice to be muche abated, as if you reade
the 3 of the Proverbes from the 13 verse to the ende of the 18 th
you will thinke as I saye. But I forgett myselfe in runninge so
farre in tliis argument : but I take the more lib Ue (as I sayd at
first) because I would confirme that in thy heart whereunto God
hathe allreadye persuaded thee ; & God of his mercye persuade
us bothe to a constant followinge of the hope of salvatio w ch is
layd up for us in Christ, & so shedd abroad his love in our
hearts by that spirit of Adoption, as beinge assured that our
names are written in the booke of life, we may reioyce w th
ioye unspeakable & glorious. Amen.

w By this yf° h I have allreadye written I may seemef to confirme
those obiections w ch thy freinds have moved, & to grant that
there should be great causes of discouragement offered thee in
outward respects : But I trust I shall make it appeare that thou
shalt have no wronge or disparagement by matchinge w 01 me,
all things beinge indifferently considered : I confesse it is possible
that I may die verye soone, & then thy maintenance fof a while
may be some what lesse then convenient ; but it is more likely
that I may live a fewe y cares w th thee, w ch will certainly better
thy conditio. But whether I live longer or lesse while, I can
lett thee see how, w th a little patience, thy meanes may be bet-
ter than 80 15 a yeare ; yet can I promise no more for present
certaintye then I have formerly acquainted thy freinds w th ;
neither would I that thou shouldest make this knowne to them.
I had rather that they should finde it then expecte it. What-
ever shall be wantinge of that w ch thy love deserves, my kind-
est affection shall endeavour to supplie, whilst I live, & what I
leave unsatisfied (as I never hope to be out of thy debt) I will
eett over to Him who is able, & will recompence thee to the
fall : & for the present, I wish thee to followe the prophets ex-
hortatio Psal : 27. 14. Waite on the Lord, be of good courage,
& he shall strengthen thyne heart ; Waite I say on the Lorde." 1

1 The paper ii torn at thi* point, and the signature and date are thus wanting.

134 LIFE AND LETTERS

The second of tfcese letters bears date after all the
family differences were at an end, and only a week or
two before the marriage. The grave suggestions which
it contains, in regard to the bridal apparel which Marga-
ret was engaged in preparing, will occasion a smile.
They would hardly be relished, we imagine, by any young
lady to whom they might be addressed under the same
circumstances at the present day. But the scriptural
allusions and applications which are introduced so
abundantly into this letter are still more remarkable.
Winthrop had evidently studied the Song of Solomon
most diligently. It seems to have been one of his favor-
ite books. We have already observed him more than
once, in his religious experiences and confessions, borrow-
ing the ideas and images of that " mystical allegory of
the' union of Christ with his Church." We shall find
him again, hereafter, in several of his letters, adopting
the same analogies and comparisons between eartlily
marriages and the marriage of the Church to Christ.
But this particular letter is replete with them ; and the
language of it might seem not a little extraordinary to
those who are not sufficiently familiar with " the Canticle
of Canticles" (as it was formerly styled in the sacred
calendar) to recognize the source from which so much of
his phraseology and so many of his figures are derived.
The other scriptural references will readily explain them-
selves ; but that to " Cant : 2." might hardly be so obvi-
ous to a common reader. It must not be forgotten, too,
that the rites of matrimony, in those days, were always
concluded by the administration of the holy Communion
to the bride and bridegroom ; and the early part of the

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 135

letter has evident allusion to that solemn sacrament.
This letter, however, like the others, shall speak for
itself.

John Winthrop to Margaret Tyndal.

**To my best beloved M™ Margaret Tyndall at Great Maplested,

Essex.
" Grace mercie & peace, &c :

"My onely beloved Spouse, my most sweet freind, & faith-
fiill companion of my pilgrimage, the happye & hopefull sup-
plie (next Christ Jesus) of my greatest losses, I wislie thee a
most plentiful! increase of all true comfort in the love of Christ,
w** a large & prosperous addition of whatsoever happynesse the
gweet estate of holy wedlocke, in the kindest society e of a
lovinge husbande, may afford thee. Bcinge filled w to the ioye
of thy love, & wantinge opportunitye of more familiar coniu-
nion w tt thee, w ch my heart fervently desires, I am constrained
to ease the burthen of my minde by this poore helpe of my
Bcriblinge penne, beinge sufficiently assured that, although
my presence is that w** thou desirest, yet in the want thereof,
these lines shall not be unfruitfull of comfort unto thee. And
bow, my sweet Love, lett me a whyle solace my selfe in the
remembrance of our love, of w ch tliis springe tyme of of ac-
quaintance can putt forthe as yet no more but the leaves &
blo88omes, whiles t the fruit lyes wrapped up in the tender budde
of hope ; a little more patience will disclose this good fruit, &
hringe it to some maturityc : let it be of care & labour to pre-
serve these hopefull budds from the beasts of the fielde, & from
frosts & other iniuryes of the ayre, least of fruit fall off ere it
be ripe, or lose ought in the beautye & pleasantnesse of it :
Lett us pluck up suche nettles & thornes as would defraud
tf plants of their due nourishment ; let us pruine off superfluous
branches ; let us not sticke at some labour in wateringe &
manuringe them : — the plentyc & goodnesse of of fruit shall
recompense us abundantly : Of trees are planted in a fruitfull

136 LIFE AND LETTERS

eoyle ; the grounde, & patterne of of love, is no other but that
betweene Christe & his deare spouse, of whom she speakes as
she finds him, My welbeloved is mine & I am his : Love was
their banquetting house, love was their wine, love was their
ensigne ; l love was his invitinges, love was hir fayntinges ; love
was his apples, love was hir comforts ; love was his einbracinges,
love was hir refreshinge : love made him see hir, love made hir
secke him : 2 love made him wedde hir, love made hir folio we
him : love made him hir saviour, love makes hir his servant. 3
Love bredd of fellowshippe, let love continue it, & love shall
increase it, untill deathe dissolve it. The prime fruit of the
Spirit is love ; 4 truethe of Spirit & true love : abounde w th the
spirit, & abounde w ft love : continue in the spirit & continue in
love : Clirist in his love so fill of hearts vr** holy hunger & true
appetite, to eate & drinke w 01 him & of him in this his sweet
Love feast, V* we arc now preparinge unto, that when of love
feast shall come, Christ Jesus himselfe may come in unto us, &
suppe w 01 us, & we w*? him : so shall we be merry e indeed.
(O my sweet Spouse) can we esteeme eache others love, as
worthy the recompence of of best mutuall affections, & can we
not discerne so muche of Christs exceedinge & undeserved love,
as may cheerfully allure us to love him above all ? He loved
us & gave himselfe for us ; & to helpe the weaknesse of the
eyes & hande & mouthe of of faithe, w ch must seeke him in
heaven where he is, he offers himselfe to the eyes, hands &
mouthe of of bodye, hecre on earthe where he once was. The
Lord increace of faithe.

w Nowe my deare heart let me parlye a little w^ thee about
trifles, for when I am present w to thee my speeche is preiudiced
by thy presence, w c . h drawes my minde from it selfe : I suppose
nowe, upon thy unkle's coininge, there wilbe advisinge & coun-
sellinge of all hands ; & amongst many I knowe there wilbe

1 Cant: 2. « Jo: 3. 16. Dent: 10. 12.

2 Jer: 2.2. Ezek: 16. < Gal: 6. 22.

(We have transferred to the foot of the page the above references, which are found in the mar-
gin of the original letter, at the points designated.)

OP JOHN WlflTHKOP. 137

some, that wilbe provoklnge thee, in these indifferent things, as
matter of apparell, fashions & other circumstances, rather to
give contente to their vainc minds savouringe too muche of the
fleshe &c 9 then to be guided by the rule of Gods worde, w**
must be the light & the Rule ; for allthoughe I doe easyly grant
that the Kingdome of heaven is not meat & drinke, apparell
&c, but Righteousnesse, peace &c : yet beinge forbidden to
fashion of selves like unto this world, & to avoydc not onely .
evill but all appearance of it must be avoyded, & allso what
soever may breed offence to the weake (for w ch I praye thee
reade for thy direction the xiiij 01 to the Rom :) & for that Chris-
tians are rather to seeke to edifie then to please, I hould it a
rule of Christian wisdome in all these things to followc the
soberest examples : I confesse that there be some ornaments
w* for Virgins & Knights daughters, &c, may be comly &
tollerable, w*? yet in so great a change as thine is, may well
admitt a change also : I will medle w tt no particulars, neither
doe I thinke it shalbe needfull ; thine ownc wisdome & godli-
nesse shall teache thee sufficiently what to doe in suche things :
& the good assurance w** I have of thy unfained love towards
me, makes me perswaded that thou wilt have care of my con-
tentment, seeing it must be a cheife staye to thy comfort : &
w^all the great & sincere desire w° h I have that there might be
no discouragement to daunt the edge of my affections, whyle
they are truly labouring to settle & repose themselves in thee,
makes me thus watchfull & iealous of the least occasion that
Sathan might stirre up to o r discomfort. He that is faithfull in
the least wilbe faithfull in the greatest, but I am too fearfull I
doe thee wronge, I knowe thou wilt not grieve me for trifles.
Let me intreat thee (my sweet Love) to take all in good parte,
for it is all of my love to thee, & in my love I shall requite
thee: I acknowledge, indeed, thou maist iustly say to me as
Christ to the Pharisies, Hypocrite, first cast out the beame that
18 in thine owne eye &c, for whatsoever I may be in thy opin-
wn, yet mine owne guiltie heart tells me of farre greater things
to be reformed in my selfe, & yet I feare there is muche more

18

138 LIFE AND LETTERS

than In mine owne partiall iudgment I can discerne ; iust cause
I have to complaine of my pride, unbeleefe, hardnesse of heart
& Impenltencie, vanitye of minde, unrulinesse of my affections,
stubbornesse of my will, ingratitude, & unfaithfullnesse in tlie
Covenant of my God, &c. therefore (by Gods assistance) I
will endeavour that in myselfe, w c ? I will allso desire in thee.
Let us search & trye of hearts & turne to the Lord : for tliis is
of safety e, not of owne innocencye, but his mercie : If when we
were enemies he loved us to reconciliatio ; much more, beinge
reconciled will he save us from destructio.

w Lastly for my farewell (for thou seest my lothenesse to parte
w tt thee makes me to be teadious) take courage unto thee, &
cheare up thy heart in the Lorde, for thou knowest that Christ
thy best husbande can never faile thee : he never dies, so as
there can be no greife at partinge; he never changes, so
as once beloved & ever the same :. his abilitye is ever infinite,
so as the dowrye & inheritance of his sonnes & daughters can
never be diminished. As for me a poore worme, dust & ashes,
a man full of infirmity es, subiect to all sinnes, changes &
chances, w ch befall the sonnes of men, how should I promise
thee any tliinge of my selfe, or if I should, what credence
couldst thou give thereto, seeinge God only is true & every man
a lyar. Yet so farre as a man may presume upon some expe-
rience, I may tell thee, that my hope is, that suche comfort as
thou hast allreadye conceived of my love towards thee, shall
(throughe Gods blessinge) be happily continued ; his grace
shalbe sufficient for me, & his power shalbe made perfect in my
greatest weaknesse : onely let thy godly, kinde, & sweet car-
riage towards me, be as fuell to the fire, to minister a constant
supplie of meet matter to the confirminge & quickninge of
my dull affections : This is one ende why I write so muche unto
thee, that if there should be any decaye in kindnesse &c,
throughe my default & slacknesse heerafter, thou mightest have
some patternes of of first love by thee, to helpe the recoverye
of suche diseases : yet let of trust be wholly in God, & let us
constantlye folio we him by of prayers, complaininge & moan-

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 139

inge unto him of owne povertye, imperfections & unworthynesse,
untill his fatherly affectio breake forthe upon us, & he speake
kindly to the hearts of his poore servant & handmayd, for the
full assurance of Grace & peace through Christ Jesus, to whom
I nowe leave thee (my sweet Spouse & onely beloved) . God
send us a safe & comfortable meetinge on Monday e morninge.
Farewell, Remember my love & dutye to my Ladye thy good
mother, wV! all kinde & due salutations to thy unkle E : & all
thy brothers & sisters.

w Thy husband by promise

"John Winthkop.

"Gkoton where I wish thee. Aprill 4. 1618.

w My father & mother salute thee heartyly w tt my Lady &
the rest.

w If I had thought my lettre would have runne to halfe this
lengthe I would have mayde choyce of a larger paper."

We should hardly know where to look for love-
letters of the olden time more quaint and curious than
those which have just been given. Sir Simonds D'Ewes,
in his Autobiography (1626), gives a letter of his own
"to Mistrpss Qopton," whom he was about to marry;
saying, that, it "being the only line I sent her during
my wooing-time, and but short, I have thought good to
insert it in this place." 1 We cannot plead their brevity
as an apology for inserting Winthrop's letters; and we
have no belief that the two which have so strangely sur-
vived the lapse of years were all that he wrote between
his engagement and his marriage. But they are too cha-
racteristic, both of the man himself and of the times in
which he lived, to be suppressed or abbreviated. Were

1 Autobiography of Sir S. D'Ewes, vol. i. p. 816.

140 LIFE AND LBTTEBS

they less than two centuries and a half old, we might,
perhaps, have some compunction about betraying the
confidences of private and domestic correspondence ;
but re-appearing, as they have done, from the old
original files in which they have so long slumbered, at
the very moment when this volume was taken seriously
in hand-, they may be almost said to have asserted their
own claim to be included among the illustrations of the
character of their author. And most striking evidence,
certainly, do they bring to that deep-seated and prevail-
ing love of God in his heart, which strengthened and
purified all his other affections, and which seemed itself
to be purified and strengthened in turn, even by those
very earthly ties and domestic attachments which have
so often estranged other hearts from the highest objects
of their love.

The wedding took place at Great Maplested, not
many days after the date of the last of these two letters.
Adam Winthrop had recorded the precise day on which
it occurred, on the fly-leaf of one of his old almanacs ;
but the paper has so crumbled with age, that the date
cannot now be deciphered with confidence. We have
before us, however, Adam's distinct record, that Mar-
garet Tyndal, his son's wife, came first to Groton on
Friday, the 24th of April, 1618. That was a memora-
ble advent in the family history. It was the commence-
ment of a new era in Winthrop's personal fortunes.
The clouds and darkness which had overshadowed so
many of his earlier years were now about to disappear, '
and nearly thirty years of undisturbed domestic enjoy-

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 141

ment were in store for him. Yet little could Margaret
have dreamed of the precise career which awaited her.
Had she foreseen that only eleven or twelve years would
have passed away before she should be called on to
resign all the luxuries and comforts of civilized life, to
traverse a stormy ocean, and to take up her abode in a
distant and dreary wilderness, — there to live, and there
to die, — she might well have faltered as she crossed the
threshold of Groton Manor. Haply she might even
have regretted that she had not listened to the remon-
strances of sisters and brothers, before linking her
fortunes with one whose religious faith and fervor
might induce him to engage in so formidable and appall-
ing an enterprise.

But we must not anticipate the course of her destiny ;
and still less must we distrust that constancy and
courage of which we shall find her giving such abun-
dant evidence hereafter. Resuming, rather, the direct
thread of our narrative, we may find here'an appropriate
place for two brief letters from that same Mr. Culver-
well (Ezekiel by name) by whom Winthrop had been
married to the wife of his youth, and to whom, in his
"Christian Experience," he attributed his earliest reli-
gious impressions. One of them was written on occasion
of his marriage to Margaret Tyndal, and the other on
the approaching birth of their first child. They certainly
give a pleasant impression of the venerable pastor, by
whose " weary, shaking hand " they were penned ; while
they bear most agreeable testimony to the " true Chris-
tian love " of hinn to whom they were addressed.

142 LIFE AND LETTERS

Rev. Ezekiel Ctdverwell to John Winthrop.

" To the Worp 11 his especiall friend Mr. Winthrop at Groton.
" WORSHIFFTJLL & BELOVED Mr. WlNTHROP, 1 have

receaved your letters which well resemble their parent in con-
stansy of true christian love, which yf I should not accordingly
intertable it should be my great fault. The occasions of my
love being increased, no reason my love should be abated. I
am now bowned with a dubble bond, one to you, another to
your wife ; to you both I say, yea for you both I pray, God
make your comforts like to ours which you [know] were
not common. I know no better means thereof than the con-
stant strife between us who should get the better hand in kind-
nes & duties of our place. I ever complaned I was behind <Sr
she the like. Let it be so with you & you shalbe both great
gayners. But this will not be obtained yf God be any looser by
your bargane. Let him therefore have your hearts & he will
give them back ech to other. For myselfe I have had this spring
much peine & never look to recover my weaknes in my feet &
peines of the stone which both have some mitigation that I may
endure them. I have indeed as you well deem oft remembered
you & joyed in the accomplishment of your mariage, & wilbe
ready to further your comforts wherein me lycth, & thus my
weary shaking hand makes me to end — The Lord every way
prosper your mariage.

w Yours ever in Christ "Ez. Culverwell."

Rev. Ezekiel Culverwell to John Winthrop.

" To the "Wop" his very kinde friend Mr. John Winthrop at Groton.

w Right wortihlye beloved, — I take very thankfully
your loving respect of me, & God forbid I should so sinne as to
cease to pray for you & yours, of whom I conceave good hope
that they be that blessed seed, of whom it shalbe veryfyed
which Esa 61, 9. did foretell. And to this end make it (as you

OF JOHN WJLNTHKOP. 143

doe) your chiefe studye to traync them up in the nurture &
admonition of the Lord, which I understand from their infansy
to nurse them up in knowledge & practise of Christianity as
their capacity will bear. I hear your wife is neer her tyme, I
pray God give like successe to my poor prayers for you which
of late I have found with others, who have craved my help in
like case. Thus much certify your sweet natured & modest
wyfe (as I conceave) for her comfort, that (as neer as I can
gesse) I wilbe with her at her need. I would be glad to hear
how she fits her self to your course. I doubt not but my
much' respected Lady Tindal wilbe with you, whom I pray
salute in my name, & merily require her to pay her debts, I
meane of prayers for me, which I must looke to in myselfe
both for her & you both. Concerning my helth its oft crasy,
.but noe rcgement fitts. I am growing into an astma, that is a
short nes of breath with wheesing & a dry cough. I desire &
labour to be ready for my change, & so I comit us all to the
providence of our heavenly father.

"Yours while his owne "Ez. Culverwell.

•* Mar. 12. 1618.

" I hope you hauc heard of my daughter's fruitfulncs, two at
a byrth :' 4 which could not make 2 yeers. 7 living, the poor
man hath his hands full, yet I thank God he thrives both
waves which is rare & good."

Here, too, we may find a place for a letter from Mar-
garet's brother, Deane Tyndal, Esq., written a year or
two after her marriage, which furnishes ample evidence,
that whatever family misgivings there may originally
have been as to the wisdom of the match, the most cor-
dial and affectionate relations had now been established
between Winthrop and at least one of her brothers:
another of whom, we shall find hereafter, actually
accompanied him to New England.

144 LIFE AND LETTERS

'-% Deane Tyndal to John fVinthrop.

" To my verie loveing brother Mr. John Winthrop att his house in
Groton give these.

w Kinde Brother, — I acknowledg your great love in
sending to see us, and condemne myselfe of neglect in* that
kinde ; w° h I protest (and that trulye) hath not proceeded
from anle forgetfullnesse of my sister, or you, but the snow,
& cold weather, hath kept me and mine from sturing farr from
home. Now I understand by your messenger that the wayes
be pasable, it shall not be longe (if it please God) before I will
visit you, for I much desier to see my sister and you, whose
good I daylie wish and praye for. Sf John Deane and his Ladie
after a troublesom and dangerous iournie are safe come home.
They report that it is of credit that the Kinge of Bohemia and
his whole armie are overthrone, the Citie of Prage taken by
Burquoy, the Kinge and Queen fled, and som afferme he is not.
This sadd newes we heare here. I have sent you Camden.
My wife, I thanke the Almightie, was never better soe neere
hir time. And thus w th thankes for all your kindnesses, my
wives and my owne love and unfayned affections being reraem-
bred to our best beloved sister and yourselfe I rest

r Your assured loving brother " Deane Tyndale.
" The second of Dec' 1620."

Here, again, may be given another of the Lady Mild-
may's pleasant letters, addressed about this period, though
unhappily without any exact date, to her cousin, John
Winthrop : —

The Lady Mildmay to John fVinthrop.

"Good Cosen, — I hartelie thancke you for this good mes-
senger, & also for yoT lovinge & proper Iettre. I acknowledge
myselfe so unworthie of so greate respecte as every waie unable

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 145

to make the least requital unto you for it. I assure myselfe it
is a special blessinge of God uppon me & my posteritie, that he
hathe moved the heartes of yof selfe, wife & lovinge parents,
to be so myndfull of me. Howe available God hath iudged
the praiers of his servants, one for another, his holy Worde
besides of owne experience hath made knowne unto us. The
Lorde knowes howe barren this place (wherein he hathe set me)
is of grace, as also myne owne weakenes in it : and therefore
he movethe his servants to upholde me by their praiers, as
Aaron & Hur staicd up the hand of Moses : least he should
saie unto me, as he saide to the Churche of Sardis, Thou hast
a name that thou lyvest, but thou art deadc. The Lorde I
trust will keepe me from that dcadncs. And seinge he hathe
given me an other sonne, as a pledge of his mercy, I have
xause to reioice as by yof letter it appereth you doe. I be-
eeeche the Almightie that his blessinge may be uppon him, that
his frends may have more cause to reioice in his second birthe
then in his first, when they shall see that the Lorde hathe fitted
him for his owne service. Thus good Cosen w" 1 the remem-
brance of my love to yof selfe & yof good wife, I committe
you to God & reste ever yours to the uttermost of my power.

"Amy Meldmay."

And here, also, we may give the few passages of Win
throp's little autograph volume of religious experiences
which relate to this period, — the first of them bearing
date, according to the old style, on the 24th of March,
1618; or, as we now should write it, the 3d of April,
1619.

w 0n Wensdaye the 24 th of Marche 1618, Marg* my wife
**8 delivered of a sonne, 1 whereof I desire to leave this testi-
monye of my thankfullnese unto God, that she being above 40

1 This was Stephen Winthrop, who was colonel of a regiment in the civil wan of
England, and a member of one of Cromwell's parliaments.

19

146 LIFE AND LETTERS

houres in sore travayle, so as it beganne to be doubted of hir
life, yet the Lord sent hir a safe deliverance. Heerby I had
occasion to finde the great power & benefite of prayer : for
Mf Sands first prayeing w 01 hir in hir trouble, & after myselfe,
it pleased God (althoughe she was not delivered many houres
after) yet to increase hir strengthe, & afterwards, I perceiring
hir danger, I humbled myselfe in fastinge & mourninge, I
searched my heart for some sinnes, & made up my peace w^
my God, & so getting a more large & melting heart to goe
unto the Lord, I sett myselfe to prayer, & gave not over untill
God had sent hir deliverance.

" The daye after hir deliverance she was taken w tt a burning
feaver, w° h heald hir so, as after the viii 111 daye was passed my
Cosin Duke made little reconinge of hir life, but w^in one daye
after, beinge the 10 th daye of hir sicknesse, diverse godly min™
meetinge togither did in their prayer remember hir case in par-
tic', & that very daye & houre (as neere as might be guessed)
she founde a sensible release of hir disease. The Lord be
blessed forevermore.

"Aug. 22, 1619. I had been drawne from my stedfastnesse,
& walked in an unsettled course, for the space of a yeare &
more, before this tyme : I had made diverse attempts to returne
againe, but they still vanished, my zeale was cooled, my com-
fort in heavenly things was gone, I had no ioye in prayer, nor
in the Sabaothe, nor in Gods word, nor in the Comunion of
Saints, or if I had any, it was so soonc gone, as it was not to
be regarded ; & now it pleased God to open mine eyes againe
upon a Sabaothe daye, & I founde the cause of all to be, that
I had againe embraced this p r sent worlde, eagerly pursuinge
the delights & pleasures of it, & I might easyly observe that
as the love of the world p r vayled, so the love of God & all
goodnesse decayed. Heerupon (by Gods grace) I have ag" e
resolved to renounce tliis worlde, & to holde in my affections to
the love & estimation of heavenly things ; the Lord in mercye
inable me hereunto.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 147

w It is a policie of Sathan to discourage us from duty by set-
tinge before us g? appearances of ganger, difficulty, impossibili-
ties &c, w * when we come to examine or make triall of, are
found indeed to be nothinge so ; but even as a foole being tyed
by a thredd or a strawe, thinkes himselfe unpossible to stirre,
& therefore stands still, so dothe Sathan make advantage of
of foolishe & f tar full dispositio. In these discouragements &c,
it is sufficient oft tymes to sett us at lib 116 , if we doe but con-
sider that it is the tempter, &c.

" When I thinke it were good (in some partic r pleasures, &c)
for the peace of my Conscience, to leave suche or suche a
thinge undone, &c, it is a usuall obiectio of my heart — But I
shall gaine nothinge by leavinge it &c : so as I see it is good
for a man to applie to himselfe that promise of God to Ab : I
am thy exceedinge g* reward : & w th Moses to have respect to
the recompence of the Reward : Heb : 11. & therefor to have
the eye of ffaithe allwayes fixed upon life evT lastinge, for by
nature we are all disposed to saye as the wicked in Job : What
profite shall we have, &c :

* It appeares by divers p'cepts of God to Israeli, Deut ,
of talkinge w* their children &c, about God, & by the prac-
tice of the faithfull in the tymes of persecution, that we should
lave religion in as familiar practice as of eatinge & drinkinge,
dealings about earthly affaires &c, & not to tye it onely to the
exercises of Divine worship, w° h makes that there is so little
free speeche of heavenly matters, & that men are readye to
blushe at the speakinge or hearinge thereof, as if it were some
streiiunge of modestye.

" 1620 : Aprill 7 : beinge frydaye. About one of the clocke
in the morninge Adam my sonne was borne.

"I have cause for ever to remember the goodnesse of the Lo :
& the power of prayer, for my wife beinge in longe & very
difficult travaile I humbled my selfe in earnest prayer to God

148 LIFE AND LETTERS

for hir, & beinge in the next chamber, as I arose from prayer
I heard the child crye. I desire of God, I may make more
accompt of prayer, havinge so ofte founde the sweet successe
of it. I perceive the Lo : will keepe faithfully his promises w^
his Children.

* I haue founde that a man may master & keepe under many
corrupt lusts by the meere force of reason & morall considera-
tions (as the heathen did) but they will returne ag° to their
former strength : there is no way to mortifie them but by
faithe in Christ, & his deathe : that as he, when shine &c, had
him at the greatest advantage in the grave, yet then gate the
full victorie of sinne &c, by arisinge from under it ; so a Ch*
beinge in him by faithe, is made really partaker of his Conquest.

w 1620. Januarye 12. Ridinge throughe Boxford w* Mr.
Gurdon in his coache, my sonne Henrye beinge w* me & one
of Mr. Gurdons men, enteringe into the towne the coachmen
was throwne off & the horses ranne throughe the towne over
logges & highe stumpes untill they came upon the causye right
ag 1 the Churche, & there were snarled in the logges, &c ; & the
coache beinge broken in peeces, toppe, botom & sides, yet by
Gods most mercifull providence we were all safe : blessed be his
holy name.

* The water of Bethlem that David offered unto God was not
an offeringe that had any promise of acceptance, neither for the
worth of it could challenge any : yet (no doubt) it was well
pleasinge unto God, because it was a deniall of himselfe for
Gods sake in that particular lust of his ; we many tymes have
the lesse heart to beat downe o* particular lusts in thinges that
are indifferent, or of so smale consequence as we think that God
will have no respectc to us for it. But afterwards even in suche
thinges God is well pleased that we doe denye o* selves, & the
sacrificinge of any longinge affection to the Love of of God
(though it be but either a little water, an apple, a triflinge plea-

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 149

sure, &c,) is of greater account w 01 him then some workes of a
farre more glorious appearance.

w Many thinges w^ fall out by the ordinarye course of nature
&c, are not easylye discerned to be guided by any speciall pro-
vidence of God, as the Eclipses of the Sunne &c, thunders,
tempests, &c, the effects whereof are ofte very strange ; but
God who had from the beginninge determined of suche effects,
did w^all appointe that the course of naturall causes should
concurre at the same tyme : so that heerby his glory is the
greater, in effectinge thinges extraordinary, & yet not changing
the order of causes. Thus when God in iustice hathe appointed
that a wicked man shalbe cut off, he hath w^all appointed that
suche a disease, suche a battail &c, or age it selfe shall concurre
at the same instant for effecting of it, so that thoughe he dye of
meer age, yet he dies by the force of Gods judgm*. So when
God sayes that the righteous men are taken awaye from the evill
to come, & we see good men ag* such ill tymes die of pure age,
yet it is truely fullfilled that they are taken away from the evill
to come ; for he who had determined of the occasion of their
takinge awaye, had determined allso, that they should be borne
** age fitt for that occasion."

In connection with the foregoing account of the birth
of two of Winthrop's children, we may appropriately give
the following statement in relation to them, as found in the
clear and careful chirography of Adam Winthrop, their
grandfather. He was doubtless particularly gratified, in
his old age, to have one of them called by his own name;
and we can imagine the satisfaction with which he took
up his best pen to record the details of their birth and
baptism. It is the last writing of the fond old grand-
father which remains to this day. Of course, he puts his
little namesake down first.

150 LIFE AND LETTERS

w Adam Winthrop, the second soone of John Winthrop Es-
quire & Margaret his third wife, was borne in Groton, on frydaie
y* seventh day of y* moneth of April, in the yere of our Lorde,
one thousand sixe hundred and twentie ; and in y e beginninge of
y e eightene yere of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lorde James
Kinge of Great Britanne.

"He was baptised by Mr. Nicholson, the parson of Groton,
and named Adam by Adam Winthrop his grandfather, Philip
Goslin the elder, Jane Goslin his fathers sister, & Mary Cole
the wife of Joseph Cole, who were his godfathers and god-
mothers.

w Steven his elder brother by father & mother, was borne on
[Wednesday] the 24 day of Marche, in the yere of our Lord,
1618. Margaret their mother nursed the younger, and not the
elder.

"Sir John Tindal, knight, was their grandfather by their
mother : And the Ladye Anne Tindal was their grandmother,
who lyved after they were borne ; & died the 20 th day of July
1620. She was godmother unto Steven, & Mr. Steven Eger-
ton her brother, and Mr. Deane Tindal her sonne were his
godfathers.

w Sir John Deane, knight, is their unckle by their grand-
mother, y e lady Tindal : & Mr. Deane Tindal & Mr. Arthure
Tindal are their unckles, by their grandfather Sir John Tindal."

Before concluding this chapter, we may find room for
a Will which was made and executed by Winthrop soon
after the birth of the second of these children. Though
superseded by one afterwards made in New England, it
furnishes the best and most authentic evidence of his
condition and circumstances at the exact period of his
life which we have now reached. Nor is it without
many characteristic features both of style and of sub-
stance. It is as follows : —

of john winthrop. 151

* John Winthrop.
[seal.]

w In the name of God, amen. This tenth day of May, in
the year of our Lord God 1620, and in the eighteenth year of
the reign of our sovereign Lord, King James of England,
etc., and of Scotland the fifty-third, I, John Winthrop, of
Groton, in the county of Suffolk, Esquire, being ( I praise
God) of sound mind and memory, and in good health of body
(upon serious consideration of the frailty and uncertainty of
this momentary life, occasioned by the Lord's watchword, and
frequent examples of such as I have observed to have been
snatched away suddenly and in their best health and strength) ,
do make and declare by these presents my last will and testa-
ment in manner following : —

* First, I commend my soul into the hands of God, who
made me .and redeemed me, and hath renewed me into the
image of Christ Jesus ; by whom only I am washed from my
sins, and adopted to be the child of God, and an heir of ever-
lasting life, and that of the mere and free favor of God, who
hath elected me to be a vessel of glory for the only manifesta-
tion of his infinite mercy, and accordingly hath called me out-
wardly by his word, and inwardly and effectually by his holy
spirit, into this grace wherein now I stand and rejoice under
the hope of the glory to come. My body I yield to the earth, 1
there to be decently bestowed, as waiting for the hope of the
resurrection of the just. Now, for such temporal goods as I
shall leave behind me, I do commit them to the care and dispo-
sition of Margaret my wife, [Mr. Adam Winthrop my father,
Anne Winthrop my mother, 9 ] and John Winthrop my son,
whom I do make and ordain executors of this my last will and
testament, to this end, and upon this confident persuasion, that
they will have a mutual love and due regard each to other and
to all the rest of our family, and that they will faithful perform

1 At this point of the original instrument, the following words are inscribed in the
margin: u I desire to be laid near mv godly and loving wives, — if conveniently it may
be."

1 The words in brackets are partially erased in the original.

152 LIFE AND LETTERS

this my last will and tegtament. Item, I give unto my said
wife all those my lands and tenements whicfi I lately purchased
of William Forthe of Neyland, gentleman ; viz. , the two ten-
ements, and six acres of land, lying by Leven Heath, in the
occupation of [blank] Coker, and ten acres of woodland lying
near the same tenements : which land and woods are called by
the several names of Masterman's Cross, Masterman's Grove,
Stubbins Cross, Stubbins Grove, and Homylie's Grove, or by
what other names soever ; and also one close of pasture-ground,
called Little-pond Field, containing about eight acres, lying at
the end of Neyland Town, towards Buers ; and also three acres
of meadow lying in Lowe's Meadow, in the parish of Assiug-
ton, just by the said end of Neyland Town : all which said
parcels of land, meadow, and wood, are more particularly
expressed in a certain deed of feoffment from the said William
Forthe to me made, bearing date the twenty-seventh day of
July, 1617. To have and to hold the said tenements, land,
meadows, pastures, and woods unto my said wife for term of
her life ; and, after her decease, to remain to Adam, my son,
and to his heirs. I give unto my said son John all that mes-
suage wherein I now dwell, together with all the appurtenances,
and all that indenture of lease, or term of years, which I have
in the same, and in certain acres of land therewith let, being
now in my occupation, situate in Groton aforesaid, and being
parcel of the rectory of the same parish. Item, whereas I
have one parcel of land called Upper Crab tree went, containing
about twelve acres, lying in Groton aforesaid, and now in the
occupation of Philip Gostlin the elder, which I have left out of
former conveyances, to this end, that I might lay it unto the
parsonage of Groton, in satisfaction of the like quantity of
land which I have of the same, I do hereby admonish my said
son, and streightly charge him before the Lord, that he so dis-
pose hereof as may be best to God's glory, the peace of his
own conscience, and the due recompense of the faithful incum-
bent ; as myself purpose to do, if God spare me life to a fit
opportunity.

"Item, for Mary, my daughter, I will that my executors

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 153

shall pay her grandfather Forthe his. legacy of £240, to be
paid her at her age of eighteen years ; and, withal, I do com-
mit her to the care of my executors, to be well and Christianly
educated with such goods as I shall leave unto them. [* Item,
I will that my said executors shall pay unto Luce Winthrop,
my sister, one hundred and twenty pounds ; one hundred
whereof is due to her upon an agreement between my father
and me upon the setting-over his whole estate unto me. Item,
I will that they shall pay unto Ezekiel Bonde threescore pounds
and [blank] that which is behind and due to him of such lega-
cies as my said father was to pay unto him.] Item, I will that
my son[s, Henry and] Forthe, shall be brought up and disposed
of by my executors in learning, [or else in some honest calling
such as they shall prove most fit for,] out of the rents and
profits as they are to have by the will and testament of their
said grandfather, Mr. Forthe, when they shall attain to certain
ages, as in the said will is expressed. My other two sons,
Stephen and Adam, I commend to the care of their mother, to
be brought up in the fear of God by the help of such lands
and goods as I shall leave unto her. Item, I will that my
executors shall pay my son Henry £13. 6s. 8d. yearly out of
those lands which should fall to him by his grandfather Forthe's
will, at his age of twenty-four years. Item, I make my loving
wife and John my son 2 executors of this my last will and testa-
ment; entreating and charging them that they will provide
that all my debts may be truly paid and satisfied out [of] such
lands and goods as I shall leave unto them ; for performance
whereof I do give unto my son John the lease of the house I
dwell in, with the lands thereunto belonging and therewith oc-
cupied.
"Published in the presence of

"Henry Winthrop,
Samuel Gosttjn."

1 The erasure in the original of the words enclosed in brackets indicates the changes
which had occurred in his family and affairs during the six or seven years next after the
will was made, and of which we shall see the details as we proceed with his life.
1 John was at this time only in his sixteenth year.

20

154 LIFE AND LETTERS

It would appear from this instrument, that, in 1620,
Winthrop's father and mother, and sister Lucy, were
living ; and that he had five sons and one daughter, —
John, Henry, Forth, Mary, Stephen, and Adam. He
seems also to have possessed an ample landed estate, and
to have provided for its equitable distributiou at his
death. But the striking feature of the will is the testi-
mony which it supplies, not only to his own religious
faith, but to his anxious care that his children should be
"well and Christianly educated," and "brought up in
the fear of God."

It would seem, too, from this instrument, that the lord-
ship of the Manor of Groton had already been assigned
to John Winthrop by Adam, his father ; and an origi-
nal record, of which the following is a copy, confirms
this idea, and may not be entirely without interest, as
an illustration of the legal forms and customs of the
place and the period: —

" Groton.

"Memorandum that the 14th daie of November Anno
Domini millessimo sexcentessimo deeimo octavo (1618) et
domini Jacobi regis Anglian &c deeimo sexto, Johannes Nutton,
senr., came before John Winthrop Esq., lorde of the manor of
Groton and out of the Court of the said manor in the presence
of Adam Winthrop, gent, John Doget and Steven Gostlin two
customary tenantes of the said manor, did surrender into the
hands of the said John Winthrop all that his moitie and portion
of the customary lands which he holdeth of the said John Win-
throp as of the manor aforesaid to the use of the said John
Winthrop and his heirs, and the said John Winthrop heing so
seized of the moitie aforesaid did presently in the presence of
the said Adam Winthrop, John Doget and Steven Gostlin,

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 155

deliver out of his hands all that mo;tie and portion of the said
customary lands unto the said John Nutton for the use of the
said John Nutton and his heirs and assigns forever under these
conditions here expressed, that is to say, that if the said John
Nutton his heirs or assigns doe not yearly pay or cause to be
paid unto Anne Gale the daughter of William Gale or her
assigns during her life, three pounds four shillings of lawful
money of England by sixteen shillings every quarter of the
year, the first payment thereof to be at the feast of the nativity
of our Lord God next coming after the date hereof and so
forth every quarter, previous or within fourteen days next after
every of the said days of payment at or within the church porch
of the parish church of Groton aforesaid, that then this estate
shall be void and that the said John Winthrop or his heirs shall
be seized of and in the said moitie and portion of land to the
only use and behalfe of the above named Anne Gale her heirs
and assigns to be holden of the said John Winthrop his heirs or
assigns of the manor aforesaid, by the rent customs and services
before due and accustomed.

" By me w John Nutton. 1

"Adam Winthrop
John Doget

Steven Gostunge."

This, we presume, is what would technically be called
a surrender of a copyhold estate into the hands of the
lord, for the uses therein designated, in the presence of
two customary tenants. A year or two after this date,
Adam Winthrop, the father, is found exercising the
powers of a Coroner at Groton, under a commission from
his son, as lord of the manor. And thus we have
brought down the story of Winthrop's life to the memo-

l A family of Nations were neighbors of the Winthxops at Groton.

156 UFE AND LETTERS

rable year in which the Pilgrim Fathers of New Eng-
land abandoned their temporary abode in Holland, and
embarked in the " Mayflower " on the voyage which ter-
minated at Plymouth Rock. We have found no evidence
that he was in any degree interested in their movements,
or even aware of them ; much less that he had ever con-
templated the idea that they were but the pioneers in
a path in which he was so soon to follow.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 157

CHAPTER Vm.

WINTHROFS LETTERS TO HIS WIFE, 1620-1622.

The materials for our Biography of John Winthrop
begin now to grow somewhat less sombre in their cha-
racter, and to present features of interest less purely
domestic or religious. He could never have imagined
that his private correspondence would be preserved for
more than two centuries after his own death, to be pub-
lished and read in a land of which, at the time when
so much of it was written, he knew little more than the
existence. But so it has happened. From the memorable
year 1620, we have an almost unbroken series of his
letters, with rarely an interval of more than two or
three months between them, — furnishing the most
satisfactory and authentic index to his occupations,
condition, and character. Some of these letters have
already been deciphered and printed by Mr. Savage, as
an Appendix to his first and second editions of Win-
throp's "History of New England." But even those
have hardly had a fair chance, in such a connection,
to attract the attention to which they are entitled. Few
readers look for any thing interesting in an appendix,
even if they take the trouble to examine what it contains.
Meantime, many other letters have come to light, since
this Biography was taken in hand, of by no means

158 LITE AND LETTERS

inferior value. 1 The whole of them will be given, in
our successive chapters, in the order of their dates or
of their subjects, and in the full confidence that they
will be thought worthy of preservation and of perusal,
not merely as containing frequent allusions to the
private life and circumstances of their author and his
family, but as charming specimens of the epistolary
style of " auld lang syne." The simple beauty of then-
language, and the spirit of personal tenderness and
pious trust in which they were composed, cannot fail
of being appreciated by all who read them. Nor have
his own letters alone survived the lapse of centuries.
Letters of his wife, and of more than one of his chil-
dren, are also left ; and some of them, certainly, will
be found worthy of a place on the same page with his
own. It would not be easy, we think, to find private
domestic correspondence of the same period, or indeed
of any period, which would better bear exposure, or
which would reflect more credit on the character of the
writers.

We begin with a letter to his wife, of Jan. 23, 1620,
written evidently from London, though there is no place
set down in the date. It will be remarked, that his
stay in London on this occasion had some reference
to the session of Parliament, of which we may find an
explanation hereafter.

1 Of the ten letters from Winthrop to his wife, given in this chapter, all but the last
one are new. The letters published for the first time in this work maybe distinguished
from those taken from the Appendix to the History of New England by the fact that
the spelling of the latter was modernized by the copyist It has not been thought
important to restore the old spelling; but a few corrections have been made in them,
after a careful comparison with the originals.

OF JOH3* wrjrrmop. JW

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160 LIFE AND LETTERS

w Remember my dutye to my father & mother, my love to
Mr. Sands & all the rest of my true freinds that shall ask of
me, & my blessing to our Children ; & so giving thee commis-
sion to conceive more of my Love then I can write, I rest

w Thy faythfull husbande " John Winthrop.

w My brother salutes you all.
"Jan. 23 1620.

"My brother Tiadall & my sister wilbe at Groton before
Lente (if God will), there would be some fowles provided &
some Ale etc."

Five or six months after the date of the letter just
given, Winthrop having, in the mean time, returned to
Groton, his wife was called away to her old home, in
Essex County, by the illness of her mother (Lady Tyn-
dal), whither she is soon followed by the second letter
of onr series.

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To my lovinge friende M™ "Winthrop at Chelmsey House l in Great
Maplested, Essex.

"My deare wife, — I beseeche the Lorde of good God
to blesse thee & thy little babe w th all spirituall blessings in
heavenly things, & w th a comfortable supplye of all things
needfull for this present life, w" 1 such a portion of the true
wisdome as may cause us allwayes to discerne of the worthe &
excellencie of Ch 1 Jesus, to take him as o T . onely portion, & to
love him w" 1 all of heart, as of best thanke offeringe for his
unspeakeable love & mercie in redeeminge us from of sinnes by
his owne death, & adop tinge us into the right of the inherit-
ance of his fathers Kingdome. To him be glory & prayse for
ever, Amen.

" Albeit I canot conveniently come to thee yet, I could not

1 Morant, in his History of Essex, calls it Chelmshoo House.

OF JOHN WTOTHROP. 161

but sende to knowe how thou doest, & in what state thy good
mother continue th, w th the rest of of freinds : That w ch we
nowe foresee & feare in hir, 1 we must looke to come to of
selves, & then neither freinds nor goods, pleasure nor honor,
will stande us in any stead, onely a good conscience sprinkled
w th the blood of Ch* shall give us peace w to God & of owne
sowles.

w We are all heer in good health (I prayse God) yet not
well contented untill thou returnest to Groton, but I will not
hasten to abridge thy deare mother of that comfort w ch she may
receive in thy companie. My sweet spouse, let us delight in
the love of eache other as the chiefe of all earthly comforts :
& labour to increase therein by the constant experience of
eache others faithfulnesse & sincerity e of affection, formed into
the similitude of the Love of Ch? & his Churche. Looke for
me on thursday or friday (if God will) & remember me to thy
good mother & all yf rest as thou knowest my dutye & desires,
etc. My parents salute thee; many kisses of Love I sende
thee: farewell. [John Winthbop.]

" July 12. 1620."

And here is another letter, addressed to his wife while
she was paying the same or another visit at " Muche
Maplested." It has no date of time or place ; but was
evidently written from Groton, and probably in the
course of this same year 1620.

John Winthrop to his Wife.

u To my verye lovinge Wife Mrs. Winthrop at Muche Maplested in

Essex."

"Mr sweet wife, — I besceche of good God to blesse thee
ever. I am gladd to heare of thy welfare, & doe think very

* The Lady Tyndal died eight days after this letter was written, 20th July, 1620.

21

162 LIFE AND LETTERS

longe to see thee, but I must now staye untill a convenient
tyme. Tomorrow Mf Sands preachethe vr* us, & if I should
be from home I knowe not ho we some would take it, but my
purpose was to have come to thee in the afternoone, till I con-
sidered that you would not be conveniently lodged by reason
of thy brother Arth : sicknesse (although for my parte any
would content me) , so as I thinke fitter to come on Wensdaye
morninge, & so to goe dine at Dines hall l & home in the after-
noone, for I must of necessity e be at hon*e on thursdaye,
because I must meet Mf Gurdon at Boxford in the morninge,
& after dinner my sister Luce must ride to M™ Bacons. I
praye God send us a comfortable meetinge, & a prosperous
iornye, w° h he will surely doe, if we depende on him, w* reso-
lution to be stirred up by his benefits to love & serve him
better. O what great cause have we to love him above thou-
sands whose portion in all good things is farre inferio r to o™ !
althoughe this alone were sufficient to enforce us. to love him
w 01 all our hearts, that he hath redeemed us from hell, &
appointed us to eternall happinesse, when we were as deeply
under the curse as the most reprobate. Let of prayer be (my
good wife) that he would quicken up the faithe & feelinge of
these things in us, that at lengthe we might come to take as
muche delight in the meditation & exercise of heavenly things,
as the most covetous earthlinge do the in his lands & goods.

w Thy lovinge husband " Jo : Winthrop.

"Till we meet, farewell my sweet wife. If I should not
fetche thee untill thou didst write me for that ende, I mervaile
how longe thou wouldst stay there.

* Gather, mother, etc, comend their love to thee & all the
rest, remember my dutye & love as thou knowest, etc. My
mother hathe been ill at ease ever since thou wentest, but is
now better, I prayse God."

1 Dynes Hall, the principal manor of Little Maplestead, then the seat of Sir John
Deane, a son of Lady Tyndal by her first husband.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 163

The two next letters were written from London during
the following year, with only a day's interval between
them ; and then we have a third, written after his return
to Groton, and when his wife had again gone to visit
her relatives in Essex.

John fVinthrop to his Wife.

u To my most lovinge & deare wife M w Marg* Winthrop at Groton in

Suffolk.

"My dearly beloved Wife, — the blessinge of of heaven-
ly father be upon thee & all o™ : & he who hath preserved &
prospered us hitherto, w^out of meritts of his free goodnesse,
continue us in his favour, & the comfort of each others Love,
unto of last & most happie change. I trust by the blessinge
of God to be restored safe to thee on Saturdaye next : for my
heart is at home, & specially w th thee my best beloved, yet the
businesse I came for is come to no passe, & there is cause to
feare lest it will not be effected this week : therefore be not
over confident of my returne untill tuesdaye next weeke : but
I hope I shall write to thee againe if I be likely to staye. Or
freinds heere are all in healthe : I am much streightened in
tyme, & therefore canot satisfye my selfe in writinge as I desire,
gather the rest out of thyne owne faithfull assurance of my
Love : so vr* the sweetest kisses, & pure imbracinges of my
kindest affection I rest

* Thine "John Winthrop.

"Remember my dutye to parents & loveinge salutations to
euche good freinds as thou knowest I desire, etc.
"London. May 9: 1621.

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"Most deare & lovinge Wife, — I wrote unto thee by
of neighbo r Cole, beinge then uncertaine of my returne, yet I
hoped to have been w tt thee on Saterday but it so faljethe ' out,
that I am inforced to staye except I should leave my sister

164 UFE AND LETTERS

Goldinge x destitute, & the businesse I came for w tt out effectc,
w° h I cannot now faile w th comforte & good reporte. There-
fore I must intreat thy gentle patience untill this businesse be
dispatched, vr° h I hope wilbe betymes the next weeke. In the
meane tyme thou art well persuaded that my heart is w* thee,
as (I know) tliine is w tb him to whom thou hast given thyselfe,
a faithfull & lovinge yokefellowe : who truely prising this gifte
as the greatest earthly blessing, provokes thy Love to abounde
in those fruits of mutuall kindnesse, etc, that may adde a day-
lye increase of comfort & sweet content in this happinesse. I
would willingly offer a request unto thee, w* h yet I will not
urge (not knowing wha£ inconveniences may lye in the waye)
but it wotdd be very gratefull to me to meet thee at Maplested
on Wensday next, but be it as God shall guide thy heart & the
opportunitye. It is now neere XI of the clocke & tyme to
sleepe, therefore I must ende. The Lord of heavenly father
bless & keepe thee & all o n , & let this salutation serve for all,
for I know not how safe a messinger I shall have for these.
Remember my dutye & Love as thou knowest how to bestowe
them, farewell,

* Thine "John Winthrop.

w I send thee divers things by Wells in a trusse.
"Mai 10: 1621."

John Winthrop to his Wife.
" To my very lovinge wife M™ Winthrop at Muche Maplested, Essex.

"My deare & lovinge Wife, — I am exceedingly
streightened in tyme, throughe the suddaine opportunitye of
sendinge this messinger, yet I could not but write unto thee as
I maye. God be blessed, I came home in peace & found all
very well, & so we continue, & I hope we shall all meet in
peace & comfort on friday. I have sent a horse for my uncle.

1 This is plainly Goldinge in the original ; though I know of no each sister.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 165

Thus with most hearty remembrance of my fond & faithfull
love to thee, I comende thee (to the Lord) who blesse & directe
us allwayes & all of children.

w Thine as his owne " John Winthrop.

w Remember me very kindlye to all as thou knowest my
desire ; my parents salute thee & thine.
"June 27: 1621."

The next letter, in the order of date, was addressed,
during the same year, to his brother-in-law, Thomas
Fones. The first wife of Fones, Anna Winthrop, had
died two years and a half before this time (May 16,
1619); and he had been married again, Aug. 28, 1621,
to Priscilla, daughter of Rev. John Burgis, D.D. 1 Fones
seems now to have been suffering from a long illness,
and Winthrop writes him a letter of congratulation on
his incipient recovery.

John Winthrop to Thomas Fones.

u To my very lovinge Brother Mr. ffones at the three fawnes in the old
Bayly, London.

"My good Brother, — I received your lovinge lettre, &
doe prayse God for that beginninge of yof recoverye, & the
good health of the rest of yof familye. I hope the Lord will
now visite you in his riche mercie, & doe you good & com-
forte you accordinge to all the evill w° h you have endured : He
hath shewed you great trobles & adversities, but he will re-
turne & receive you, &c, to the ioye & strengthening of yof
Faith, & the raysinge up the heart of my good sister, w *, I
knowe, hath suffered much discomfort in yo r longe troubles,
ffor <? selves, the Lo : continues very gratious towards us,
blessed be his holy name : my wife is sitting up againe, & I

i Old MS. pedigree of the Fones Family, lately found among the Winthrop papers.

166 LIFE AND LETTERS

trust shalbe restored to hir former health in due tyme. We
might rejoyce greatly in of owne private good, if the sence of
the present evill tymes, & the feare of worse did not give occa-
sion of sorrowe. The Lo : look mercifully upon this sinfull
lande, & turne us to him by some repentance, otherwise we
may feare it hath seene the best dayes. I will write no more
at this tyme, being (as yet) to seeke of a messinger for these.
Let us still continue mindfull of* each other in of prayers, &
the confirminge of o r mutuall Love, for it may meet w tt tryalls.
Thus w*? all our lovinge salutations to yofselfe, my good sister
& little cosin8, I commende you to the grace & peace of the
Lo : Jesus, & will rest alwayes

"Yof lovinge brother "John Winthrop.
" Jan* 29, 1621.

w My receipt of Hand is due this terme, I pray let one of yof
folkes pay it for me.

"I pray send us a little of yof Juice of Liquorice."

We proceed to give three more letters to his wife, two
of them written in April, and the third in October, of
the succeeding year ; or rather of the same year, allow-
ing for the change of style. The two first of them
were undoubtedly written while Winthrop had gone to
attend the wedding of his sister Lucy, whose marriage
to Emanuel Downing is recorded as having taken place
on the 10th of April, 1622.

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My Deare Wife, — I prayse God, we are come safe to
Londo, where we finde all well. We are now at Redrife at a
kinsmans of my brother Downings, where we are most kindly
entertained : we have ofte wished thee with us, but wishes are
vaine : I trust, God will give us to meet againe shortlye in
peace & sweet comfort, in the fruition of of mutuall Love;

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 167

in the meane tyme let this staye of hearts, that no distance of
place or space of tyme can sever us, in respect of of true &
fervent affections to each other; whereof every occasio shall
give us more assurance. I am -too much streightened in
tyme to write to hir whom I love so dearly (it beinge now XI
of the clock this tuesday night) ; thy kind heart must gather
a great deale of matter from a fewe scribled lines. I will adde
no more, but beseech the Lo : to blesse thee xfe all of younge
ones, & send us a ioyfull meetinge. Remember my dutye to
parents & Love to all whom thou shalt think fitt : my brother
Downing & sister salute thee most kindly etc. farewell my
sweet wife, farewell.

w Thy faithfull lovinge husband " John Winthrop.
"Rkderife, April 9. 1622."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My deare wife, — albeit I am now cominge towards
thee, yet that thou may est knowe that I am all waves mindfull
of thee, I would take every opportunitye of confirminge thy
good assurance of it, desiringe to offer some such refreshinge
to thy minde, as may prepare a cheercfull countenance for my
welcome to thee. I prayse God, we are all in health, and
prosper well in of affaires hetherto : & doe hope in the Lo : for
a safe returne. Let us labour to gett a thankfull heart to him
for his free love & constant bounty towards us & o™. I heare
by this bearer J : Go : that thy selfe & all o™ are in health &
I prayse of good Lo : for it, but thy lettre miscaried by the
waye. Thy Love in my kinde welcome shall supplye all : The
Lo : blesse thee & thy little lames & send us a comfortable
meetinge at Groton & at last to meet in of Fathers house in
heaven : farewell my sweet wife

w Thy faithfull lovinge husband w John Winthrop.

" Take & imparte salutations & dutyfull remembrances from
all of us to whom thou knowest.
"London. Aprill 18 1622."

168 LIFE AND LETTERS

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My sweet Wife, — Blessed be God, by whose provi-
dence and protection I am Come safe to London. Here I find
them all in health, and a great deal of kind welcome. Only
thy company is wanting, which they much desire.

W I doubt my brother's coming to Ipswich will be deferred
till the spring ; fbr Mr. Hore (who should hire his house) and
he are broken off. Thus man purposeth, but God disposeth.
Oh that we could learn at length to trust his wisdom, love,
power, etc., and cast our care upon him, and leave our own
carnal wisdom, fear, confidence, etc ! Then should it go well
with us assuredly. Then should we have our rest in that true
peace which passeth understanding. But it is our wretched
infidelity that keeps good' things from us. Let us, therefore,
pray earnestly, and labor for this precious faith : it will recom-
pense all our cost.

" For such news as is here, this bearer can sufficiently inform
you, and so may spare my labor ; and, besides, I am hasted
into the city about my business. When I shall return, I cannot
yet tell ; but thy love will make me lose no time. Therefore,
for the present, with my brother's and sister's kind salutations
to thee and to my parents, to whom I commend my love and
duty, I heartily commend thee and our little ones and all our
family to the gracious protection and blessing of the Lord. So
I rest

"Thy faithful, loving husband, "John Winthrop.

"Lonik>n, Oct. 19, 1622."

We may conclude this chapter with a letter from the
Rev. Henry Sands, the venerable pastor whose name so
often occurs in Winthrop's early Experiences, and whose
death will be found particularly noticed at a later date.
It gives a pleasant impression of the writer, and proves
how much Winthrop was relied upon in the church-
affairs of his neighborhood.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 169

Henry Sands to John Winthrop.

"To my Worship 11 well-aproved good friend Mr. John Wintrop at
Honton Hall (?) these.

w Sir, — I do understand that Stoke Vicarage is not yet given.
It is a great parish. I do fro my hart persuade my eelfe that
at Naylond would be a good Church of God if they had a good
minister. Theare is one or two. There is one Mf Watson
felow of Trinitie Colledge. I take the next yere to be his yere
of Bachelo* of Divinitie. A Gentleman borne, hath of his
owne some xx or xxx 1 a yere. A ma of gret lerning for his
*yme & verie quiet. Theare is another, one Mr. Gilgate, sonne
unto M r Gilgate that dwelt at Langham, one whome I thinke
M r Manocke knew & a verie quiet honest ma. A sufficient
scholer. A bachelo' & so I thinke it may be he will contynue,
for he is of some good resonable yeres. Let me intreat yo u
end' in the affection that I know yo u beare to the Churche of
God to look into it & help. If extremitie of buisnes had not
hinderd I would haue bene w* yo u afore this tyme & I purpose
afore weekes be ended to come to yo u . In the meane tyme the
thing is p'sently to be done. Let me intreat importunitie to
the uttermost you can. I pitie the Church. The Lord stirre
up all o r harts to love it & labo r for the good of it. I take my
leave thus hastely this hande being wearie. Comending my
selfe to yo r owne selfe & M?* Wintrop, Not forgetting M* 1
Hanna,

w Yo r Worships exceedingly behoulding to you

"Hen. Sands."

22

170 UFE AND LETTERS

CHAPTER IX.

LETTERS TO HIS SON AT TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN; DEATH OF
HIS FATHER; AND LETTERS OF FORTH WINTHROP.

We turn now to another correspondent of Winthrop's,
— his eldest son, John Winthrop, jun., afterwards the
Governor of Connecticut. He had been prepared for
college at the somewhat celebrated Free Grammar
School, at Bury St. Edmund's, founded by Edward VI.
in 1550, and which has maintained a high reputation
to the present day. Among its distinguished pupils
within the last half-century, it boasts of Lord Cranworth,
the late Lord Chancellor of England, and of Dr. Blom-
field, the late Bishop of London, — whose armorial
shields have recently been suspended on the walls of its
principal hall. 1 The younger Winthrop was now (1622)
in the seventeenth year of his age ; and was a student
at Trinity College, Dublin, 2 where he remained for seve-
ral years, and is believed to have been graduated in due
course. The letters addressed to him by his father at
this period are models of old-fashioned paternal advice
and affectionate counsel. It would be difficult, indeed,

1 I saw them when I visited the school in July, 1859, in company with the Rt. Hon.
and Rev. Lord Arthur Hervey, now the Archdeacon of Sudbury.

2 This institution, founded in 1591, had received a charter in 1613 from James I.,
with all the privileges of a University, and with an endowment which secured its pros-
perity and permanence.

OF JOHN WINTHEOP. 171

to find a nobler illustration of the apostolic injunction to
parents, that they should "bring up their children in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord," than in these
letters of John Winthrop to his son.

They deal mainly with domestic events, and require
little explanation or comment. One of them furnishes
an idea of Winthrop's pecuniary circumstances, by his
proposal to allow thirty pounds per annum, or more " if
occasion be," for his son's expenses at college, — no
inoonsiderable sum, we imagine, for those days. 1 An-
other suggests that he was not altogether contented with
his condition in England in 1623, by the expression in
a postscript, " I wish oft God would open a way to settle
us in Ireland* if it might be for his glory there." His
thoughts had evidently not yet been turned towards
America ; and perhaps the expression only meant, that
he was disposed to settle where some of his family were
already living, and where his son was at college. An-
other of these letters contains the account of the death
of Winthrop's father at the age of seventy-five, with this
beautiful tribute to his memory : " He hath finished his
course ; and is gathered to his people in peace, as the ripe
corn into the barn. He thought long for the day of his
dissolution, and welcomed it most gladly. Thus is he gone
before ; and we must go after, in our time. This advan-
tage he hath of us, — he shall not see the evil which we
may meet with ere we go hence. Happy those who

* Prof. Masson says, Milton's father most have made up his mind, in sending his
son to Cambridge, to pay fifty pounds a year, in the money of that day, for the expenses
of his maintenance there. There was some difference, probably, between Cambridge
and Dublin.— lift of Milton, voL L p. 77, Am. ed.

172 UFB AND IaETTERS

stand in good terms with God and their own conscience :
they shall not fear evil tidings ; and in all changes they
shall be the same."

All the letters alike bear testimony to the satisfaction
which Winthrop enjoyed in the character and conduct
of his son at college, and how glad he was to hear that
this "dutiful and well-deserving child" "declined the
evil company and manners of the place he lived in, and
followed his study with good fruit." The younger John
Winthrop gave early indication of that purity of life,
and devotedness of purpose, which made him so distin-
guished in after-years; and it is to be regretted that
none of his answers to his father's letters during his
college-life have been preserved. If, however, they were
all written in Latin, — as we find, from his father's
replies, that some of them were, — they will be the less
missed by the general reader.

We proceed with the father's letters in their order : 1 —

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my beloved son, John Winthrop, at the College in Dublin.

tf Dear Son, — Though I have received no letters yet from
you, I cannot pass by any opportunity, without some testimony
of my fatherly affection, and care of your welfare ; for which
respect I am content to have you absent from me in so far
a distance : for I know, that, in respect of yourself, patria ubi-
cunque bene; and, in respect of the Almighty, his power and
providence is alike in all places ; and, for mine own comfort, it
shall be in your prosperity and well-doing wheresoever.

1 All the letters in this chapter, except the five last, are in the Appendix to the
History of New England.

OF JOHN KTXTHBOP. 173

"Because I cannot so oft put you in mind of those things
which concern your good as if yon were nearer to me, it must
be your care the better to observe and ruminate those instruc-
tions which I give you, and the better to apply the other good
means which you have. Especially labor, by all means, to
imprint in your heart the fear of God ; and let not the fearful
profaneness and contempt of ungodly men diminish the reverent
and awful regard of his Great Majesty in your heart. But
remember still, that the time is at hand when they shall call
the [mountains to] hide them from the nice of Him whom now
they slight and neglect, &c.

** I have written to you more largely by one Mr. Southwell,
and now am at little leisure. When you write back, let me
know the state of your college, &c., and how you like, &e. ;
and remember my love to your reverend tutor. Your grand-
father, grandmother, and mother salute and bless you. Your
brothers and sister are in health (I praise God) . The Lord,
in mercy, season your heart with his grace, and keep you from
the lusts of youth and the evil of the times. So I rest
w Your loving father,

* John Winthrop.

•• Gboton, Aug. 6, 1622."

John Winthrop to his Son.

u To my beloved son, John Winthrop, at the College near Dublin.

w My beloved Son, — I beseech the Lord to bless thee
with grace and peace. I give him thanks for thy welfare ; and
hope, through his mercy, that this infirmity which is now upon
thee shall turn to thy health. I received two letters from thee,
written (I perceive) in haste ; but they were welcome to me
and the rest, to your grandmother, mother, &c., who all rejoice
in your good liking. I sent you two letters a good while
since ; which I hope will not miscarry, though they be long in
going. The further you are from me, the more careful I am of
your welfare, both in body and soul ; the chief means where-
of lyeth in your own endeavor. Your friends may pray for

174 LITE AND LETTERS

you and counsel you ; but your own diligence and watchfulness
must be added to make you blessed. God hath provided you
a liberal portion of outward good things. You must labor to
use them soberly ; and to consider that your happiness lieth
not in meat, drink, and bodily refreshings, but in the favor of
God for your part in a better life. I purpose to send you, by
this bearer, such books as you writ for : only Aristotle I can-
not, because your uncle Fones is not at London to buy it, and
I know not whether you would have Latin or Greek. I pur-
pose also to send you some cloth for a gown and suit ; but, for
a study-gown, you were best buy some coarse Irish cloth. I
shall (if God will) write to you again by Mr. Olmsted. For
the carriage of such things as I send you by John Nutton, you
must remember to pay him, because I cannot tell here what
they will come to. I have written to your uncle to send over
my gelding. If you see that he forget it, you may put him in
mind. Your grandfather and grandmother will write to you.
Your mother salutes you with her blessings. We arc all in
health (I praise God). Remember my love to your good
tutor. The Lord in mercy bless and keep you, and direct and
prosper your study. Amen. So I rest

ff Your loving father, tf JonN "VVintiikop.

"(Ikoto.n, Aug. 31, 1622."

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my beloved son, John "Winthrop, at Trinity College, in Dublin,

Ireland.

"Mr dearly beloved Sox, — I do usually begin and end
my letters with that which I would have the A and a of all thy
thoughts and endeavors : viz., the blessing of the Almighty to
be upon thoc, not after the common valuation of God's bless-
ings, like the warming of the sun to a hale, stirring body :
but that blessing which Faith finds in the sweet promises of
God and his free favor, whereby the soul hath a place of joy
and refuge in all storms of adversity. I beseech the Lord to

OF »HX miMHC OT. 175

cpea liiz* *y«. lias i3>:<n mayest see the ric&es of ii£s ct«*<»
whki -wZ2 vtoie lie *rc*>mi of all eardriy van::5s> : aad* if
h pie*** !r~ t i-> £rre d>ee ooc* a tasxe of die swi&«aess of die
true wi=*i:m wixi i* from aim*, h w31 season thy studies,
and srre a new Temper to thy soul- Kemexaber. therefore*
what ihe w^es* sahh : " The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wialora." Lav this foundation, and thou shall be wis*
indeed.

"lam very giad to hear that you like so well in Ireland.
If tout profiting in learning may be answerable, it will much
increase my comfort. I was not gready troubled to hear
that your body d>i break oat ; bat rather occasioned to bles*
God. that sent yon so good a means of future health. I must
needs acknowledge the great care and kindness of your uncle
and aunt towards you. It may be much to your good, if you
be careful to make right use of it. as I hope you do ; for I
hear you lore your study well. You must have special care
that you be not insnared with the lusts of youth, which are
commonly covered under the name of recreations. Ac. I
remember the counsel of a wise man : Qttulquul ad roI*pt<tfi$
seminarium pullulat, renenum puta. Think of it (dear son),
and especially that of Paul to Timothy : * Exhort young men
that they be sober-minded.'

* I sent you some books by J. Xutton. I could not then
buy the rest, nor such cloth, &c, which I would have sent
you, because your uncle Fones was not then in London ; and I
have no friend else that I can make bold with. I have now
a piece of cloth to make your doublet and hose, if I can send it
by Mr. Olmested : if not, then desire your uncle to fit you
there. It is only some little more in the price ; and I have
found, that, except one send by some friend, the carriage and
custom (besides the hazard) costs so much, as there will bo
little saved. You may line your gQwn with some warm baize,
and wear it out, for eke you will soon .outgrow it ; and, if you
be not already in a frieze jerkin, I wish you to get one speedily :
and howsoever you clothe yourself when you stir, yet be sure

176 LIFE AND LETTEE8

to keep warm when you study or sleep. I send you no money,
because you may have of your uncle what you need. I hope
you will be honestly frugal, and have respect to my great charge
and small means, which I shall willingly extend to the utmost
to do you good.

" Your grandfather, grandmother, and mother salute and bless
you. We all, with your brothers and sister, are in health (I
praise God) . Forth is at Bury ; but he fell so between two
forms, as he had like, between both, to have fallen back to
Boxford.

" Your uncle Gostlin and aunt are in health, and he means
to write to you. Your good host and hostess at Bury inquire
much of you, and desire always to be remembered to you : so
did your master there, when I last saw him. I purpose to
write two or three lines to your good tutor, in token of my
thankful acceptance of his loving pains with you.

w We are daily in expectation of Mr. Olmested's coming by
us, who appointed to have set forth on his journey above a
fortnight since : otherwise I had adventured some letters by
London before this, though we received none from you since
John Nutton came to us. I hear not yet of my gelding. It
will be fit, that, at the quarter's end (if your uncle forget it),
you ask him money for your tutor. The Lord bless you ever.
So I rest

" Your loving father, " John Winthrop.

"Oct. 16, 1622.

* Commend me to Mr. Downes the 8tationer. ,,

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my beloved son, John Winthrop, at Trinity College, in Dublin,

Ireland.

" My dear Son, — I received your letters, with the bill of
charges enclosed, &c. I bless God for the continuance of your
health, but especially for the good seed of his true fear, which
I trust is planted, and grows daily in you. I perceive you lose

OF JOHN WJLNTHKOP. 177

not your time, nor neglect your study; which as it will be
abundantly fruitful to my comfort, so much more to your own
future and eternal happiness, and especially to the glory of
Him who hath created you to this purpose. I pray, continu-
ally, that God will please to establish your heart, and bless
these good beginnings. For the money which you have spent,
I will pay it, and what else your uncle shall appoint me, so
soon as I receive my rents. And for your expenses, seeing I
perceive you are considerate of my estate, I will have as great
regard of yours ; and, so long as your mind is limited to a
sober course, I will not limit your allowance less than to the
uttermost of mine own estate. So as, if £20 be too little (as
I always* accounted it), you shall have £30; and, when that
shall not suffice, you shall have more. Only hold a sober and
frugal course (yet without baseness) , and I will shorten myself
to enlarge you. For your apparel, desire your uncle to fur-
nish you for this present ; and, if I can find out a means to
send you things against winter at a more easy rate, I will pro-
vide for you, as I would have done before this, but that I
thought (the charges of sending and hazard considered) you
were as good provide them there. Your mother is lately deli-
vered of another son (his name is Deane), 1 and is reasonable
well (I praise God), with your grandmother, brothers, sister,
uncle and aunt Gostlin, &c. ; but your grandfather is very
weak, and (we fear) in his last sickness. They all salute you,
and rejoice in your welfare. Goodman Hawes was here, and
salutes you also. Remember my love to your tutor, &c. The
Lord bless you always. Amen.

w Your loving father, w J. Winthkop.

w I wrote to you lately, and to your uncle and aunt ; and,
since, I wrote another letter to your aunt.

"March 25, 1623."

l Baptized at Groton, March 28, 1622.
23

178 LIFE AND LETTEhS

John Winthrop to his Son.
" To my loving son, John Winthrop, at the College in Dublin, Ireland.

w Son John, — The blessing of the Lord be upon thee, and
upon thy studies unto a most happy success. I received divers
letters from thee since Christide, and I have written three. I
hope thou hast received them before this. I bless God, and
am heartily refreshed to hear of thy health and good liking, —
especially to see those seeds of the fear of God, which (I hope
and daily pray) will arise to timely fruit. He who hath begun
that good in you will perfect it unto the day of the Lord
Jesus : only you must be constant and fervent in the use of the
means, and yet trust only to God's blessing.

"I was purposed to defer writing to you till your uncle
Gostlin should have come ; but, his journey being put off on
the sudden, I am enforced to borrow of the night to write
these few lines unto thee. Concerning thy charges, I have
written my mind in a former letter ; but, lest that hath mis-
carried, know that my good persuasion of thy tender regard of
my estate, and confidence of a sober course, shall make me to
extend myself to the farthest of my ability for thy good, be it
£30 per annum, or more, if occasion be. And, though I have
sent over no money all this time, it was not through any neglect
of thee, but upon that assurance which I had of thy uncle and
aunt their care of thee, he himself willing me to send no money
till he sent for it ; and now, since Mr. Goad is dead, I know
not to whom to pay it. But make you no question ; for (God
willing) I will discharge every groat. And for your apparel
and books, I find it so difficult and troublesome, &c, to send
things over, as I would wish you to provide there for the
present.

"I have written to your uncle of the change that it hath
pleased the Lord to make in our family. 1 The Lord give us
and you to make a right use of it. Time will not permit me

1 The death of his father, Adam Winthrop, to which he alludes more particularly in
the next letter.

OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 179

to write more. Your grandmother and mother salute and bless
you. Remember me very kindly to your good tutor and Mr.
Downes, &c.

" Your loving father, " J. Winthrop.

" April 20, 1623.

w Send me word in your next how Mr. Olmsted and that
plantation prospers. I wish oft God would open a way to settle
me in Ireland, if it might be for his glory. Amen.

w Commend me to my little cousins, and to my god-daughter
Susannah Nutton, to Richard, and the rest of the family."

John Winthrop to his son.
" To my [son] John Winthrop, at Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.

"Mr well-beloved Son, — I received thy letters of the
26th of May this 26th of June; and, the messenger being
presently to return, I cannot satisfy myself in writing to thee
as I desire. Let it suffice for the present, that I humbly praise
our heavenly Father for his great mercy towards thee in all
respects ; especially for the hope, which I conceive, that he
hath pleased to make thee a vessel of glory for thy salvation in
Christ Jesus. And I heartily rejoice that he hath withdrawn
thy mind from the love of those worldly vanities, wherewith the
most part of youth are poisoned, and hath given thee to discern
of, and exercise thyself in, things that are of true worth. I
see, by your epistle, that you have not spent this year past in
idleness, but have profited even beyond my expectations. The
Lord grant that thy soul may still prosper in the knowledge of
Jesus Christ, and in the strength of the Spirit, as thy mind is
strengthened in wisdom and learning ; for this gives # the true
lustre and beauty to all gifts both of nature and industry, and is
as wisdom with an inheritance. I am sure,. before this, you have
knowledge of that which, at the time when you wrote, you
were ignorant of; viz., the departure of your grandfather (for
I wrote over twice since) . He hath finished his course ; and
is gathered to his people in peace, as the ripe corn into the

180 LIFE AND LETTERS

barn. He thought long for the day of his dissolution, and
welcomed it most gladly. Thus is he gone before ; and we
must go after, in our time. This advantage he hath of us, —
he shall not see the evil which we may meet with ere we go
hence. Happy those who stand in good terms with God and
their own conscience : they shall not fear evil tidings ; and in
all changes they shall be the same.

w The rest of us (I praise God) are in health. Your grand-
mother and mother salute and bless you in the Lord. We all
think long to see you ; and, it is like, myself shall (if it please
God) go over to you, before I shall be willing you should take
so great a journey, and be so long withdrawn from your happy
studies, to come to us. It satisfieth me that I know you are
well and can want nothing, and that (I believe) God blesses
you. I shall continue to pray for you, and will not be want-
ing, to my power, to further your good in every thing; arid
know this, that no distance of place, or length of absence, can
abate the affection of a loving father towards a dutiful, well-
deserving child. And, in that I have not sent you money all
this time, it is upon that assurance which I have of your uncle's
and aunt's care of you, and his free offer to forbear me till he
should send. But I have written to him to receive £30 or
£40 of some of Dublin, who have occasion to use money in
London ; and they shall not fail to receive it again at my
brother Pones his [house] upon the first demand. For Coop-
er's Dictionary, I will send it you as soon as I can ; but it is so
difficult and hazardable l (especially now, since Mr. Goad died) ,
as I cannot tell how to convey that or any thing else to thee.
Remember my kind love to your good tutor. And so, in haste,
I end ; and, beseeching daily the Lord Jesus Christ to be with
thee and bless thee, I rest

"Your loving father, w Jo. Wenthrop.

"Guoton, June 26, 162;>."

1 This volume, which it was " so difficult and hazardable " to send over to Dublin
in 1623, is now safely in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston.

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 181

John Winthrop to his Son.

* My dear Son, — The Lord bless thee, and multiply his
graces in thee, to the building up of that good work which (I
well hope) is truly begun in thee, and wherein I rejoice daily,
and bless God, who hath pleased to call thee and keep thee in
that good course which yields hope to all the friends of thy fu-
ture happiness. Be watchful, (good son,) and remember, that
though it be true, in some cases, that principium est dimidium
totins, yet, in divinity, he who hath attained beyond the middest
must still think himself to have but new begun : for, through
the continual instigation of Satan and our own proneness to
evil, we are always in danger, of being turned out of our course ;
but God will preserve us to the end, if we trust in him and be
guided by his will.

W I received no letters from you since that in Latin, wherein
you wrote for Cooper's Dictionary, which I sent you since by
London ; and I have wrote twice since. I purpose to send by this
bearer, Samuel Gostlin, a piece of Turkey grogram, about ten
yards, to make you a suit ; and I shall have a piece of good cloth
against winter, to make you a gown. All my care is how to
get it well conveyed. I would have sent you some other things,
with some remembrancers to your aunt and cousins, but that the
occasion of sending this messenger was so sucj^en, as I could not
provide them. If your uncle come over to Chester, you may
come with him ; and there I hope to see you. Be directed by
him md your tutor ; for though I much desire to see you, yet
I had rather hear of your welfare than hazard it. And, if
your uncle mean to come further than Chester, I would wish you
not to come over now ; for I am not willing you should come to
Groton this year, except your uncle shall much desire your com-
pany. Eemember my kind love to your good tutor and to Mr.
Downes : and excuse me to your aunt that I write not to her,
for I have not leisure ; and, if occasion be, impart my joy in
her safe deliverance, which we long much to hear of. What re-
mains, this bearer can inform you of all our affairs. Put him

182 LITE AND LETTERS

in mind (as from me ) to be sober, and beware of company.
Your grandmother and mother salute and bless you ; your uncle
Gostlin and aunt salute you ; your master at Bury (to whom I
wish you to write at leisure) , your good host and hostess, salute
you also. Vale. w John Wintheop.

"Groton, Aug. 12, 1623.

w You shall receive by Samuel a twenty-two-shilling piece, if
he have not occasion to spend it by the way."

John Winthrop to his Son.

u To my beloved son, John Winthrop, at Trinity College, in Dublin,

Ireland,

w My well-beloved Son, — I beseech our God and hea-
venly Father, through Christ, to bless thee ; and I humbly
praise his holy name for his great mercy towards thee hitherto,
which is a great occasion of my rejoicing. For there is nothing
in this world that can be like cause of private comfort to me as
to see the welfare of my children ; especially when I may have
hope that they belong to Christ, and increase his kingdom, and
that I shall meet them in glory, to enjoy them in life eternal,
when this shade of life shall be vanished. Labor, my dear son,
to have in highest esteem the favor of tliis God, whose blessing
is better than lift^ and reacheth to eternity. Make him thy
joy, by trusting in him with all thy heart ; and nourish the
peace of a pure conscience in an undefiled body. I am glad
also to hear that thou declinest the evil company and manners
of the place thou livest in, and followest thy study with good
fruit. Go on, and God will still prosper thee. To fall back
will be far worse than never to have begun ; but I hope better
of thee. Your grandmother, mother, brothers, and sister are
in health (I praise God). How we do all here at London,
this bearer can tell you. Your uncle (Fones) wishes well to
you. I would have you write him a Latin epistle at your
leisure. You must be careful to visit your aunt, and help her
to be cheerful in tins time of your uncle's absence. Commend

or jonx winthrop. 183

me heartily to your reverend tutor ; and think not of seeing
England till you may bring a hood 1 at your back.

"It shall satisfy me, in the mean time, to hear of your wel-
fare, which I daily pray for ; and so I commend thee to the
Lord, and rest w Thy loving father,

" John Winthrop.
"London, Oct 3, 1623.

w I send two books by Richard. One of them is for your
aunt, the other for yourself. Read it over and again; and
God give a blessing with it."

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my loving son, John Winthrop, at Trinity College, in Dublin,

Ireland.

"I sent you, in January last, the books which you wrote for.
' Imagines Deorum * is very dear, and hard to get. 9 I could
not find a second in London. It is a book that may be of some
use for the praise and antiquity of the monuments, abused by
the superstition of succeeding times ; but you must read it with
a sober mind and sanctified heart. Your grandmother and
mother are in health (I bless God) , and do salute and bless
you. Your brothers and sister, and the rest of your friends,
are likewise in health ; only Adam hath a sore ague. Let me
hear, by your next, how your aunt bears this long absence of
your uncle, and how things goe in Ireland, at Mont Wealy,
and elsewhere, and what success hath been of the proclama-
tion* Our Parliament here is begun with exceeding much
comfort and hope. The treaty about the Spanish match is
now concluded, by king, prince, and Parliament, to be at an
end ; and, it is very like, we shall not hold long with Spain.
The Duke of Richmond and Lenox died Suddenly that morn-

1 u An ornamental fold that hangs down the back of a graduate." — Johnson.

* The volume here referred to is perhaps the same which is now in my possession,
entitled " Tfie Image of God, or laie mas booke, in which the right knowledge of God
is disclosed, and divers dontes besydes the principall matters — Newly made out of holi
writ bi Roger llutchynson of Cambrydge." 1660.

184 LIFE AND LETTERS

ing the Parliament should have begun. The Duke of Buck-
ingham hath quit himself worthily, and given great satisfaction
to the Parliament. God send a good end to these happy be-
ginnings. This bearer comes suddenly upon me, and is but a
stranger. Therefore here I end ; and with my loving saluta-
tions to your reverend tutor, and your kind friend his substi-
tute, with Mr. Downes, your little cousins, Richard, &c, I
Yeat "Your loving father,

w John Winthrop.
"Gboton, March 7, 1623."

John Winthrop to his Son.
u To my beloved eonne John Winthrop at the Colledge in Dublin.

"My dearly beloved sonne, — I beseeche the Lord God
Allmighty to blesse thee & prosper the course w * thou art, by
his providence, entered into ; & to returne thee home in safetye
in his good tyme, w° h though I thinke longe for, (& shalbe
still more greved at thy absence, if thy uncle & aunt should
returne into England before winter,) yet when I weighe all
considerations rather by judgment then affection, I had rather
thou should continue still till the springe, or till thou maiest
obtaine a degree, w%ut w ch (for ought I can learne) this tyme
wilbe loste : neverthelesse if yo r uncle shall thinke fitt, &
yo r selfe shall desire it, I shall give waye, & be gladd to have
you hecre. I receeved no letter from you since the 18 of
Maye : I must needs blame yo r want this waye. I expected
to have had many Latin Epistles ; but vix unam et alteram
accept , easq: vulgari penitus scrmone exaratas ; — si quid aliud
in coniecturd incider at prater communem cavsam ignaviam, paternus
Amor facile excusatione' svppleret : scd si alio perfugio vti non
possis, quid restat quih culpam agnoscas et redimere studeas. My
true desire is that you may be a good proficient in y or studyes,
but my most earnest prayers & wishes are, that you & y or
studyes may be consecrated to Christ Jesus & the service of his
church ; for w ch ende, I beseeche the Lorde to furnish jfou with
all meet gifts, & to sanctifye you throughout ; for I doubt not

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 185

but, if it please the Lorde to reveale himselfe once in you, &
to lett you taste & see ho we good he is, & what the worthe of #
Christ is to those who finde him, what riches, what pleasures,
what wisdome, what peace & contentatio is to be founde in
Christ alone, you will willingly forsake all to follow him, &
with Paul, those things w° h sometymes seemed great advantage
to you, to account them lost for Christ's sake. I can give you
but a taste of these thinges ; be constant in hearinge, prayer,
readinge & meditation, & the good spirit of God shall reveale
unto you this great misterye of godlinesse, & shall shewe you
more then any tongue or penne can expresse. Amen. Y°*
grand mother & mother salute and bless you, y° r brothers &
sister are all in health (I prayse God) . Y or master at Burye
salutes you, I mcrveile you never write to him ; y or good host
& hostesse are well & salute you. So w** itteratio of my bless-
inge upon you, & my kinde salutations to y or Rev d Tutor, Mr.
Downes, & all o r frends, I rest

w Y or lovinge father, * John Winthbop.

" Groton. June 20, 1624."

* In more than one of the letters which have just been
given, the elder Winthrop alludes to his son Forth, who
was a schoolboy at Bury St. Edmund's, as his brother
John had been before him. We cannot conclude this
chapter more appropriately than by giving two or three
of Forth's own letters to his brother at this period.
They furnish a good idea of the juvenile correspondence
of the olden time, and contain many pleasant allusions
to the scholars with whom he was associated, and to the
masters by whom he was instructed. They also settle a
question of fact, which has frequently been raised, in re-
gard to the uncle and aunt of the younger Winthrop,
with whom he resided in Dublin, and to whom his father

24

186 UFE AND LETTERS

sent so many messages of remembrance. Forth speaks
of them distinctly as his uncle and aunt Downing ;
thereby proving that Emanuel Downing, who had mar-
ried Lucy Winthrop in 1622, resided at this time in
Ireland, where probably their eldest son (Sir George
Downing) was born in August, 1623.

Forth Winthrop was born Dec. 30, 1609 ; and was
but about thirteen years old when these letters were
written.

" So young, so wise, they Bay, do ne'er live long."

But we will not anticipate his early fate.

Forth Winthrop to his brother John.

" To his very loving brother Mr. John Winthropp at Dublin in
Ireland.

" ' God be Enanuell with na & Jesus/ 1

"Loving brother, — I received youer letters the 19 daie
of Agust, by which I doe understand youer singular love to me-
warde, & that althou the distans of place hath severed us oile
from another, yet I trust that neither sea nor land can braek
of na diminish ou r tru love and afFectio one towardes eacli
other w ch hath ever bene ; & I trust that the sune shall cease his
corse before ou r love shall be abolished : and as we doe thus
love one an other, how unfainiedly shold we love God for his
sonne Jesus Christe ; he loved us when we weare enimies not
breathren. How, how I saie shold we love him : let us take
heede that we lose not ou r first love as Laodicea did, or begin
well w th the Galatians but^shold not goe on well, but shold have
cause for to feare w th the Apostell least w r e are turned from

1 It was a common practice, in the olden time, to write these sacred words as a cap-
tion to a letter, running them along the top of the successive pages.

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 187

God : and I hope mountaines or hills shold soner be cast into
the sea, than that we shold lose ou r first love : Let us folio the
thing w** Solomon sayth in his Booke, Remember thy Creater in
the daies of thy youth before the evil daies come : let us do as
Esaie the proffit sayth, Wash you, mak you cleane, Turne you
from you r evill waies, & thow your Sines weare as crimsin yet
will I mak them as snow : If we belong to Gfod, God sayth to
us, the keeper of Israel nether slumbereth or sleepeth, yet God
will have his to suffer afflictions even as the church is alowed,
for to mak us fitt : but I shall forget to wright to you of the
things w** I have to wright : for as concerning you r wrighting to
me about my going to Bury : I am not yet gone thither but I
purpose by God's grace for to goe about next Ester, it may be
soner or later : Abraham Caly is not as yet gone to Cambridg
but he was admitted at ester, he is of S l . Johns colledge & he
purpos to goe the next Spring, all ou r friends here about are
in good helth. Thus desiring you for to writ to me of your
welfare & of your frends I rest

w Your brother in all love to command

"FORTHE WlNTHROP.
"Groton this 2 of Sept 1622.

" Charles Ncuton is not yet gone to Cambridg, nether is
Admitted, but he hopes of great matters ; but I think they will
prove but vaine : next Ester he hopes to get a place which I
hope may prove good for him, in the end he shall be a good
scholar."

Forth Winthrop to his brother John.

u To his verry lovinge Brother M r John Winthropp at Dublin in Ire-
land at the College.

w Loving Brother, — You wroght to me for to send you
word of my going to Bury, & I sent you word as far as I knew
about Ester time : but having knowledge of my father I now
wright to you about that matter, ffor he tould mee about
Michaelmas or soone after : the rseson I know not, but as you

188 LIFE AND LETTEKS

know — nunquam sera est ad bonos mores via, so althou it weare
long before I goe, yet at leanth seein I goe it is sum comfort
unto mce : and as you wroght to mee ons, which I thank you
for, for to comfort mee & incorage mee to goe on in the corse
of learning : & shewed me the reason of it, nam sine doctrina
vita est quasi mortis imago : w * is a most true sainge, for many
men which in their youth have neclected learning & goodnes,
in ther age, when as it should doe them any, na most good &
steed, then they- crie out of all, ther parents, themselves & all,
& wish that they had never seene the sunne ; is not this a woo-
full cause & worthy to be taken heed of : I pray you to send
me word so soone as you have a good occasion of the welfare
of your & our frends, thus having at this time no more to writ,
remembring our love to you I rest

* Your loving Brother w Forthe Winthrop.

w My uncle flfones is about removing but he is not as yet set-
tled there, he hath gotten him a place at Ipswich, a house
wher M r Ward dwelt in. I pray you remember me . to my
Uncle & Ante Downing — also to Richard his man. finis."

Forth Winthrop to his brother John.

»
" To his most lovinge Brother M r John Winthroppe at Trinitie Coll :
neere Dublin, give thes. Ireland.

"Most lovinge brother, — I received youer letters the 16
of Aprill whereby I perceived your great love & respect towards
me which alwaise hath binne : I thank you for your good admo-
nitions which you in your letters sent me for to alwaise goe on
as I haue begunne ; knowinge that althow the waye to lerninge
seeme verry hard & difficult, yet the frute & end is sweet &
pleasant. I hope althow the distans of place hath set us one
from another yet nether sea nor land nor anythinge else can
part our affections one from the other: I had an intention' to
have written to you by one of Bury that went over, but he went
over so speedilie as I cold nott have time to wright : but having

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 189

so fitt an opportunitie I will wright. I wold I cold find matter
wherin I might expresse my mind to you : for sich are our
sinnes to God as they dailie cry for vengans uppon us, & so
littell love or charitie one to another in these daies as it is Gods
mercy that we are nott consumed : But to retturne to the
purpose : you wrote to me to send you word of what forme I
am of, & how I like : I am of Tho : Chalmans : for when as I
came first M r Ward did putt mee to my choise whether I would
be of Germin Wrights or the other, now Germins classe was
so forward in Greke gramer as I cold verry hardly have over-
taken them — so I wold be of the lower forme : we came up
into the hie ende last Christide : As for my likinge of it, who
cold mislike of sich a place havinge sich kind usage att schole :
& I giue most hartie thanks to Almightie God for that he hath
disposed it so for my good & benefight. As for our Borders,
Tho : Wright & his Brother are gone to Cambridge : they went
a fortnight before Ester : none else but Abraham Caly of whom
before I wrote to you : All our frends are in good health, onely
our grandmother is nott very well : Our grandfather is departed
out of this miserable life to a perpetual rest : When as I came
last from my master M r Dickerson he was in good health &
sent commendations to you. So did M r Ward : M r Dickerson
is married last Ester : his wife is bigge w* child reddy to be
delivered if nott she bee already : William Harbone is gone
to Cambridge : he went that daie that Tho : Wright went :
William Hall went to Cam: 2 monthes before; & Edmund
Maier went to bee admitted then too, but he cold not. William
Smith went to Cambridge this Easter : the 2 Classe as I sup-
pose shall be turned to the hye one : Charles Neuton is gone
to Cambridge very latly but of what Col : he is I cannott learne :
Henery Bridon sendeth salutations to you : I am in good health
I praise God for it : So are all our frends so far as I can learne ;
our new Brother Deane is well, praised be God for itt : Thus
havinge nott more time I committ you to the almightie Jesus :

" Your loving brother " Forth Winthroppe.

"Groton, April 17, 1623.

190 LITE AND LETTERS

w As for the printed booke of quarters which you wroght
word of I cannott reddilie find it nor how surely send it. But
my father will find it & send it to you by my uncle Gostling who
will come shortly.

"Remember me to my uncle & Ante Downinge & to
Richard : "

Forth Winthrop to his brother John.

u To my verie lovinge Brother M r John "Winthroppe at Trinitie Col-
lege neere Dublin give thes — Ireland.

w Most lovinge brother, — The longe absens of my
wrighting to you may make you ether thinke the bond of
brotherlie love is broken in me, or else that ungratefulnes,
which to God is most detestable, hath possessed my mind, or
rather that sum impediment of sicknesse or any other diseases
by Gods just judgment for my sines & offences hath befalen
upon me. But thankes be to the Almightie that thow my
sines hath caled for great punishment yet through his great
goodnes he hath removed them from me : I could not therfore
at this time, havinge so fitt an opportunitie & so honest a mes-
senger, but take the occasion, not knowinge when I shal have
sich a fitt opportunitie, for as the poet saith

Fronte captflata, post est occasio calva:

so if I should neclect this occasion perhaps I might seldome or
never enioy the like. I tharforc in hast wright to you desiringe
you that you will not be greved because I have omitted & lett
passe the time so longe, because I have nott had a fitt & good
one to send bye : I wright now tharfore desiringe that you
would send me word of the wellfare of your selfe & of my
ante w th you, for w 111 us there is a verye great desease & at
Cambridge many of the scholers are sicke of another sicknes :
therefore I the rather wright unto you to know whether it be
so w* you also. Thus I remembring my love hartilie to my
ant & also to your selfe in hast I rest. — My host & my host-
esse remember their love to you & also Abraham Calie for he

OP JOHN WTNTHBOP. 191

came from Cambridge a little while before. M r Gurdon the
elder is departed verie latlie out of this life.

"Youer loving Brother "Forthe Winthroffe.

" I praie brother send me word whether you received the
letters which I sent you sins Whitsuntide or noe : lastlie I
praie wright to me as speedilie as you can :

" Burie S" Edmonds August 26. 1623."

192 LIFE AND LETTERS

CHAPTER X.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS WIFE, &c — 1628-6.

We turn again to the letters from Winthrop to his wife,
giving, in their order, a series of eight, which require
but little explanation or preamble. All of them
seem to imply that he was busily engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession ; and one of them proves that he
was taking an active interest also in the political affairs
of his County. With them we are glad to be able, at
last, to give one of his wife's replies, — the earliest
which has survived the lapse of time. Her husband, in
the first of this series, after welcoming her " sweet
letters," reminds her that they were " without date."
But the hint seems not to have been regarded ; and,
like too many of her sex in that day and in this, she
habitually omitted to give the year of our Lord in which
she was writing. Generally, however, she tells her sim-
ple story of affection or of household affairs in a way
which leaves .little danger of mistake as to the period
of which she is speaking; or certainly so as to render
it of little consequence, at this late day, whether we
succeed or fail in conjecturing the precise year to which
it may have belonged. Such letters never could have
come amiss to her loving husband; nor will the satis-

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 193

faction of those who read them now be materially im-
paired, we imagine, by the want of an exact date. 1

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My deare Wife, — Thy sweet Lettres (w tt out date)
how welcome they were to me I caiiot expresse : both in regard
of the continuance of thy health & thy little ones, my mother
& o r whole familye, for w° h I humbly blesse & prayse <F good
God & Heavenly father, & doe heartyly begge of him & trust
in him for the continuance of the same mercie to thyselfe & all
the rest : as also in respect of the manifestation of the con-
stancie & increase of thy true love wherein (I seariously pro-
fesse) I doe more reioyce then in any earthly blessinge : O how
I prize the sweet societye of so modest & faithfull a spouse I
O that I could be wise to be thankfull & improve it, accordinge
to that esteeme w 011 I have of it when I want it ! I am heere
where I have all outward content, most kinde entertainment,
good companye & good fare, &c : onely the want of thy pre-
sence & amiable society makes me weary of all other accom-
plem to , so deare is thy love to me, & so confident am I of the
like entertainem* my true affection findes w* thee : O that the
consideration of these things could make us raise up o r spirits
to a like conformitye of sinceritye & fervencie in the Love of
Christ o r Lord & heavenly husband ; that we could delight in
him as we doe in each other, & that his absence were like
greivous to us : But the Love of this present world, how it
bewitcheth us & steales away our hearts from him who is o r
onely life & felicitye; but I must break off this discourse.
The blessed protection & favour of the Lord be still w* thee &
all <f familye, & bring us togither againe in peace : thou & the
rest are kindly remembred of all heere ; remember my duty to
my mother & my love to all thou knowest I wish it. My
brother ffones is gotten abroad againe, my sister is as she useth

1 All the letters in this chapter are printed now for the first time.
25

194 LIFE AND LETTERS

to be, the rest of us are all in health (I prayse God). Our
businesse goeth on, tho' slowly e as matters use to do at Court.
My brother sends Richard home this daye & meanes to stay
awhile himselfe, to see further successe. Let Sam : come up
on monday & bring my horse, for I will leave my brother
heare awhile; let him be heere on teusdaye betymes, for I
would goe out of London the same daye. Heere is no newes
but of the Princes beinge at sea, where he hath bin wind bound
a greajt while : Thus embracinge thee in the true affection of a
faithfull husband, I will so remaine

"Thine "John Winthhop.

w I have nothinge to send thee but my love, neither shall I
bringe thee anythinge but my selfe, w 011 I knowe wilbe best
welcome.

"London, Octob 8. 1623."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My most lovtnge & deare Wipe, — I received thy
kinde & welcome Lettres, & doe heartyly blesse o r mercifull
God for his gratious providence over thee & all o r familyc. Oh
that we had hearts to love him & trust in him as his kindnesse
is towards us : I am sory that I cannot returne to thee so soone
as I made account, for cominge to Childerditch upon Saterday
last, I found my Cosin Barfut * very ill, & decay inge so fast as
on mundaye morninge I could not leave him, so staying w 1 *
him about noone he comfortably & quietly gave up the Ghost :
I sawe Gods providence had brought me thither to be a stay &
comfort to hir in that suddaine try all, when none of hir freinds
were IV th hir ; by this occasio it was Wensdaye night before I

1 I know nothing of this cousin Barfut. The name, spelt Barfoote, was not undis-
tinguished at that time in England. Dr. John Barfoote is mentioned by Walton, in his
Life of Hooker, as Vice-President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and Chaplain to
Ambrose, Earl of Warwick, 1679. Walter Barefoote was Deputy-Governor of New
Hampshire in 1685.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 195

could gett to London : where (I prayse God) I found all well
except my brother ffones, who is aguish &c, as he useth to be.
The dayes are heere so shorte, & the weather so could, as I
can dispatch no businesse, so that it wilbe the ende of the next
weeke before I can gett home. Heer is no certain newes, but
much expected w^in fewe dayes. Till I come, have care of
thyselfe & little ones (as I knowe thou doest) ; remember my
duty to mother & my love to M r Sands & all the rest. So
w* my kindest Love to my sweet wife, & my blessinge to o r
children, I comende thee & all the rest to the blessinge & pro-
tectio of the Lord & rest, Thy faithful lovinge husband

"John Winthrop.

"My brother ffones & my sister & my brother Downinge
salute thee & my mother.
"Dbckmb: 11. 1623."

John Winthrop to his Wife.
u To my very lovinge Wife Mrs. Winthrop at Groton in Suff *,

"My sweet Spouse, — I prayse o 1 " good God, and doe
heartylye reioyce in thy welfare & of the rest of o r familye,
longinge greatly to be with thee, whom my soule delights in
above all earthly things : these tymes of separation are harsh
& greivous while they last, but they shall make o r meetinge
more comfortable. It wilbe mundaye at night before I can
come home. In the meane tyme my heart shalbe with thee, as
it is allwayes, & as thy Love deserves : I am now at Childer-
ditche 1 from whence I cannot goe till Saterdaye, & it wilbe too
farre to come home, so as I entend to keepe the Lords daye at
S* Henry Mildmaies.

"The newes heer is of a Parliament to beginne the XII th of
flebruary next. The Earle of Oxford came out of the Tower
upon Tuesdaye last. Other thinges I shall relate to thee when
we meet : onely I thought good to write least thou shouldst be

1 A pariah in Essex County, about twenty miles from London.

198 LIFE AND LETTERS

Margaret Winihrop to her Husband.
" To hir very Lovinge husband John Winthrope, Esq. theese.
"My deare husband, — I am sory it faleth out so that I
coulde not send for thee at the time appoynted, by reson of my
mans beinge from home, & the unfit nesse of your horsses for
travill, that I must be constrained to forbeare sending for thee
till I can get meanes, though it be with a great deale of greefe
to me : I hope you will not impute or take it ill at my hands,
for theare wants no will in me, but that I wanted abilyty to per-
forme it. My sonne came safe home on fryday, and brought
me thy kinde letter, with the nuse of all your welfayres w * I
desyre the lord longe to continue to his glory & for the good
of many others. I shall thinke the tyme very longe before I see
thee ; I pray make hast for thou shalt be very welcome : I am
much indetted to my sister D for hir kindenesse to my daughter
M. I pray tel hir I give hir many thankes for that, & al other
fruits of hir love, and thus with my best respect rememberd to
thy selfe & all the rest of our friends, I desyre the lord to send
us a comfortable meetinge and commit thee to the lord.
w Your loving and obedient wife,

w Margaret Winthrope.

w I have now received thy lovinge letter by goodman N. and
rejoyce that the time is so near whearein I shall see thee. I am
wel perswaded of thy love and can see it in a fewe lines as in a
whole volem — my daughter M & hir welwiler shalbe very wel-
com to me if you pleas to bring them — My sonne F. and John l
came home on Saterday late from theare roveinge, haveinge bin
from home two dayes & I have well chid them for theare paynes ;
I hope John wil make the more hast. Your good servant remem-
bers hir service and thankes you for hir letter, she desyreth to
be excused from rightinge, haveinge many other letters to right :

1 The John here mentioned was evidently a servant, not her son ; as alio waa
" Rob 1 ,'' who is named in one or two of the following letters.

OP JOHN WINTHKOP. 199

my sister F wil tel John whare to have a pillyon for M. I
thinke she ware best ryde dubble." l

John Winthrop to his Wife.
" To my verye lovinge wife Mrs. Winthrop at Groton in Sufi*.
"My sweet Wife, — I prayse God, we came safe to Lon-
don, where we found all reasonably well : we came by Graces,
my Lady is some what amended ; I purpose (God willinge) to
returne thither againe either to morrowe or on mundaye. Heer
is little newes : the Coronation is put off till Maye & then to
be performed privately : there is order given to the Bishops to
proceed ag* the papists by ecc 1 ** 11 2 censures : & muche speeche of
the Kinges purpose to bringe the Queene to our Church : there
be divers Lords come out of Scotlande, their busines is supposed
but not certainly knowne. As we came by Assington M r Gur-
don made a motion of choosing the master of the Wards 3 for
one of the Knights of our shire, w° h my brother Downinge &
myself .consideringe off, have written to S r Rob 1 Crane, M w
Bacon, & some others about it : he is knowne to be sounde for
Religion, firme to the Com : W : (for w° h he suffered muche)
& the meetest man to further the affaires of our Countrye, for
our Clothiers businesses &c : I would have written to M r Sands
about it, but I have not tyme : remember us kindly to him &
shewe him this. Thus w** all o r hearty salutations (& my
humble duty remembred to my mother) to my sister Down-
ing, thy selfe, &c : beseechinge the good Lord so to continue
his good providence over you all & ourselves, as through his
mercie we may meet in peace, I rest thy faithful husbande

"John Winthrop.

"Jany, 14. 1625.

1 I have had some misgivings about inserting Margaret's first letter here ; jet seve-
ral passages of it seem to be in direct answer to the letter of her husband which immedi-
ately precedes it. Her daughter Mary, however, must have been rather young at that
time to be the subject of a match, or even of a "well-wilier." She married Rev.
Samuel Dudley, seven or eight years afterwards. No record is found of the precise date
of her birth ; but it could hardly have been before 1610.

* Clearly an abbreviation for ecclesiastical

• Probably Sir Robert Naunton, who, as we shall see hereafter, was Master of the
Wards about this time.

200 LIFE AND LETTERS

w Mr. Downinge is in London & we should meet with him
anone. My brother Dow : would have written to my sister
now, but haying many lettres to write he must deferre till I
come."

John Winthrop to his Wife.
" To his best beloved Mrs. Winthrope the younger, at Groton.

* My sweet Wife, — I prayse God I came safe to London
on fridaye, & have continued in health hitherto. Our friends
heare are all in reasonable health. My brother Dow : is so
full of businesse as I can scarce speake w* him. I went this
morninge to knowe if he would any thinge downe, but he was
gone to Westm' : he tould me yesternight, he would deferre to
write or send till I went. I thinke longe to heare how thy
selfe & the rest doe, & till God give me opportunitye to re-
turne, w** I hope wilbe the next weeke : If I wright not to the
contrarye, let Rob* come up on mundaye : but I shall write
againe (God willinge) on frydaye next. I send thee stockens,
starch, silke, & other thinges : If thou wantest ought els,
write up this weeke. Heere is little ncwes stirringe, this bearer
can tell thee all.

" God allmighty blesse & keepe thee & all ours, & our whole
company, & grant us to meet with ioye & peace in his good
tyme : be cheerfull my deare wife, & waite upon o r good God,
who hath all way es taken care of us & ours, & will not faile o r
trust in him ; continue to praye^ for me, as I doe for thee.
Thus w" 1 all lovinge Salutations from all o r good friends heere
to my sister Downinge, thy selfe, w" 1 all love & dutye to my
good mother, hearty blessings to o r children, & lovinge remem-
brance to all the rest, I embrace thee in the best Affection of a
lovinge husband & rest

" Thine ever "J. ^V.

"Feb. 13. 1625.

w I have sent downe some oranges for my sister Downinge &
thee. Coniende me to my brother Gostlin & sister : good M r
Ley his wife & all o r good neighbours."

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 201

We may conclude this chapter with a letter which has
no address, 1 but which was undoubtedly written to one
of his brothers-in-law, Fones or Gostlin, in London, about
the same time with the two first letters in this chapter.

John Winthrop to .

w My good Brother, — I percieve my last weekes Lettre
was not come to your hands when yours was written, though I
doubt not but since it is, & therefore I will spare to write of
any thinge in that : my mother (I prayse God) is well reco-
vered & remembers hir love to you & to my good sister, & so
dothe my wife, & we all are gladd of the continuance of your
health & of all yours. If my Brother Downinge goe for Irelande
soe 8uddainly, I thinke I shall not see you this winter. I*have
assigned Haxall 2 trees which stande in the ditche waye be-
tween Mr. Brande & you ; we estimated them (being stubbed)
at 2 lodes & J, so that what he hath more than his allowance
now, must be abated at the next assignment (which he is well
content with), if upon sisinge by workmen there fall out to
be more. In that fence there be divers places where it cannot be
discerned that there hath been any ditch or bancke, so as I
have a purpose to meet Mr. Brande there one day & have it
viewed & agreed upon. I wrote you in my last that Peyton Hall
wilbe sould ; it is now offered to any that will buye it ; the rent
is 300^ per an. & his price is 6000 lb : but he must come downe
a gret deall if he will sell togither, which (I thinke) will make
him in the ende to parcell it out, which yet he is not willing to
doe : I heare that it is all soccage tenure (except 40 acres) ; it
is good land but very bare of wood & no royalty or other ad
vantage belonging to it, nor any building, & farre from church*
which defects, I suppose, will discourage a*/ great purchaser .
& Sir David must needs sell, and that speecmve. Thus wk»

1 The address of this letter, and those of many others which precede and follow it
seem to have been torn off for the sake of the paper; probably on this side of the
ocean, owing to the scarcity of the commodity in New England in the early days ot
the Colony.

20S UFB AND LETTERS

my heartyest salutations to your selfe, my sister & all yours, I
commend you to grace & blessing of our heavenly father, who
keepe & guide us in all our waves, to feare & trust in him, so I
rest

w Your lovinge brother w John Winthrop,

"November 11. 1623.

* I praye when you goe by Paul's buye me the book of the
relation of the Blackftyars accident, 1 & remember my Respects
Ac.

"You shall receive by Welles a Rundlett of our cider, it
wHbe fitt to drink by Chris tyde, & if you like it, you shall have
more in Lent, when I broache my hoggeshead.

" Broache it not too lowe at first because the grounds are in
it ; you shal not need open it for there is mustardseed in it all-
readye."

1 The book here referred to wis undoubtedly that of which Lowndes's Manual gires
the following title : " The doleful Even Song, or a true Narration of that Calamity which
befel Mr. Drurye, a Jesuite, and the greater Part of his Auditory, by the Downfall of the
Floore of an Assembly in the Black-friers on Sunday, the 26 of Octob. last " [1628].

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 203

CHAPTER XI.

LETTERS TO HIS SON ABOUT HIS STUDY OF THE LAW, AND PLANS
OF LIFE, 1624-26; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS OWN PRO-
FESSIONAL CAREER IN ENGLAND.

John Winthrop, the younger, having completed his
course at Trinity College, Dublin, was in London in the
year 1624-5, staying with his uncle Fones, and engaged
in the study of the law. The five letters from his
father, which are here given in succession, were written
to him during the two or three years of his legal prepa-
rations. 1 The first of them (dated Feb. 22) refers to his
not having been yet " admitted," without saying exactly
to what: but the letter could have hardly more than
reached its destination before the admission had taken
place ; and the record is still extant, as follows : —

" John Winthrop, son & heir of John Winthrop of Groton, in the
County of 'Suffolk, admitted to the Inner Temple 28 Feb 7 , 1624."*

These letters contain some interesting items of domes-
tic and local life; among which will be observed the
birth of another son, and the death and burial of the

* These fire letters, and all the other letters in this chapter except two, are here
printed for the first time.

* I was indebted to my friend Judge Warren for this excerpt from the Temple Re-
cords, which he kindly searched at my request, while we were in London together, in
1860. There was a subsequent record, as follows : " John Winthrop, gentleman, specially
admitted 29 June, 1628." This may have referred to the elder Winthrop.

204 LIFE AND LETTERS

worthy and venerable pastor of Groton, Henry Sands,
between whom and the Winthrop Family there seems to
have been so strong an attachment.

John Winthrop to his Son.
u To my beloved Sonne John Winthrop.

"My beloved Sonne, — I beseech o r heavenly father to
blesse thee. I received yo r lettre, & am gladd of yo r heal the,
but should yet be more gladd, if I could heare that you were
resolved upon any good course for the employment of yo r life
& talents. I desire but that yo r iudgm 1 may be once rightly
informed, & then lett God dispose of you as he please. I per-
ceive you are not yet admitted, & I am now offered a place in
the Temple w* Mr. Gurdons sonne, where you may have a
Chamber freely for the most parte of the yeare ; but I referre
this & the rest to suche good advise as yo r freinds there shall
give you. God give you an heart to be guided aright in all yo r
wayes. I shall thinke longe to heare somewhat of yo r settled-
nesse. Yo r grandmother & mother salute & blesse you ; they
w 01 the rest of o r family & yo r new brother Nath, 1 are in reason-
able healthe (I prayse God). So havinge many lettres to
write, I will cnde for this tyme, & conicndinge you againe &
againe to o r heavenly father, I rest

" Yo r lovinge father, most studious of yo r welfare,

/ f J: W:
"Feb. 22. 1624.

"Remember me most kindly to yo r good Aunt ffoncs."

John Winthrop to his Son.
" To my beloved Sonne John Winthrop.

"My beloved Sonne, — I blesse o r good God for the cor
tanuance of yo r healthe & his blessinge upon you, & I dayl;
beseeche him of his great mercie to guide & prosper you in .*

1 He was baptized Feb. 20, 1624 ; and died young.

OF JOHN WTNTHBOP. 205

yo r waves, & to make you a true servant to his name & glorye
heere, & in the ende give you a place in the kingdome of his
glorye, Amen. I doe muche desire that you should familiar
yo r selfe w 111 Mr. Gurdon (to whom I desire to be kindly
remembered) , & for this ende & the better opportunyty of fol-
lowinge yo r studyes I shall wish you in Comons as soone as
shall be fitt, but I would not hasten to preiudice yo r heal the, &
so I leave it. You write for sheetes, w^ (if I had knowne
yo r want) should not have been now to provide : we have none
at this tyme fitt for you, therefore desire yo r Aunt ffones to
helpe you buy e* some clothe & gett them made; the lesse will
serve because you lye alone. I have searched in the studye for
the Grogeram but can finde none. If I meet w to it I will sende
it you. Yo r grandmother & mother are in healthe, they salute
& blesse you ; Yo r brother Deane is verye ill of an ague &c.
The blessing of the Lord Jesus be ever upon you. So I rest
yo r lovinge father * John Wintheop.

"Mabch 15. 1624.

w I meane to speake w* 11 olde Mr. Gurdon about the sale of
Nusted as soone as I can."

John Winthrop to his Son.

u To my lovinge Sonne John Winthrop.

"My beloved Sonne, — Ibeseeche the Lorde to continue
& encrease his blessing uppon thee : I am glad to" heare of thy
wellfare : ffor y° r returne there is now a fitt opportunitye
offered, for M r . Gurdon comes upp uppon wensdaye or thurs-
daye, & you may come downe upon his horse, & sende downe
suche thinges as you shall need heere by the Carrier or some of
o r honest neighbors, if you meet w* them. Sir Hen : Mild-
maye & his lady are very desirous you should come by them,
& were allmost displeased w to me that you came not by them
as you went up. If you like not to come that waye (w** yet I
had rather, but will not urge you) it may be my neighbo r Cole

206 LIFE AND LETTERS

wilbe ready to come w* 1 you on friday. We are all heere in
health, I prayse God. Y OT grandmother & mother salute and
blesse you, but you comitt an error in not remembring your
dutye to them, & y° r grandmother is not pleased that you never
write to hir. So soone as Mr. Gurdons horse comes to towne,
take charge of him & paye for his meale, allowing a peck 6f
Oates a daye besides haye, & have care that he be well shodd
& take no harme. farewell.

w Yo r lovinge father tf John Winthrop.

"Aprhx 4. 1625."

John Winthrop to his Son,

u To his lovinge sonne John Winthrop at the three fawnes in the old
Bayly, London.

w My good Sonne;, — I received yo r Lettre & the things
w** you sent, & doe prayse God for his gratious protectio over
you in yo r io r nye, beseechinge his heavenly majestie daylye to
take care of that soule & life &c, w cb he hathe pleased to lende
you, that himselfe may have glorye & you peace & safetye in
the imployment of them. The suddaine ncwes of this mcssin-
ger, & my other occasions hinders me from writinge to y r 2
unckles this weeke ; you must supplye that dcfecte by rcmem-
bringe us all kindly to them & yo r Aunts & cosins : We arc in
heal the as you lefte us (I prayse God) , Luce & the rest, onely
Rob* hathe an ague. Mr. Sands is now hastinge to his last
period, & not like (in mans Judgment) to live another week :
The good Lo : in mcrcye carrye him on w^ peace into the haven
of rest, & teache us all how to make right use of suche a losse.
Yo r grandmother & mother salute & blesse you & yo r sister ; I
comende you bothe to his mercifull protectio & holy govern-
ment, & rest

w Yo r lovinge father w John Winthrop.

••Nov. 6, 1626."

OF JOHN WiNTHKOP. 207

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my lovinge sonne John Winthrop.

"My good sonne, — I received yo r lettre : & doe blesse
God for the continuance of yo r healthe & of all o r good friends
where you are. The Lord longe continue peace and blessinge
to you all. We all likewise (through his mercye) continue in
healthe, onely Rob 1 hathe been sick this senight, & Luce hath
had some gruchings of hir Ague againe, & this daye yo r grand-
mother hathe not been well, but she hathe made shifte to goe
see Luce. I wrote the last weeke of the great dfeclininge of o r
Rev* & worthye freinde Mr. Sands, whose ende was then at
hande, for he finished his course in happie peace on teusdaye
last about one of the clock in the afternoone, & was buried on
thursdaye afternoon, Mr. Stansby preaching upon 1 Sam :
25. 1. So as we are now very much destitute, Mr. Nicolson
beinge allmost blinde &c : So as we must looke out some
assistant for him, some single man, that may make shifte w to
smale meanes, while Mr. Nicholson lives. — Diverse of o r neigh-
bor ministers have comended to me M r S. 1 of S* Jo : & o r parish
doe muche affecte & desire him : I praye God guide us all to a
good choyse, for he knowes I looke not at mine owne advan-
tage, but the Churches wellfare. Yo r grandmother & mother
salute and blesse you & yo r sister. Remember us all to yo r
good Aunts & Cosins. God Allmighty blesse you ever

w Yo r lovinge father w John Winthrop.

[Nov. 1626.]

" Yo 1 " mother desires yo r A : ffones to buye hir 4 : oz : more
of the blacke worsted she sent hir before. We want white
starche. I knowe not where you keepe. I praye goe see M r .
Culverwell & carrye him my lettre; & goe see my Cosin
Kayne w 1 * was my Cosin Peitall, yo r owne mothers deare

1 Subsequent letters will show that this was Mr. Simonds.

208 LIFE AND LETTERS

freinde, & comende me & my mother to hir. She dwells in
Gratious Street, a little beneathe the Conduitt. Comende me
very kindly to Mr. Warre the elder if you see him.

W I heard not this weeke of Mr. Gurdon; if you see him,
remember me to him &c."

During the autumn of 1626, John Winthrop, the
younger, was evidently contemplating a matrimonial
arrangement. He seems to have asked his father's
advice on the subject ; and one or two of the following
letters will be found to contain some very plain and pru-
dent counsel in reply, not unworthy, perhaps, of a wider
application. As nothing came of the consultation, it
may be inferred that John did not fancy his " somewhat
crooked" cousin Waldegrave; 1 and perhaps that Miss
Pettual, or Peitall (whichever be the name), 2 did not
fancy John. Meantime, the father's concern for his son's
spiritual welfare was evidently not diminished by the
interest which he was taking in his temporal advance-
ment. Nothing could be terser or more emphatic than
this : " Mr. Rogers hath set forth a little book of faith ;
buy it." 3 But several of these letters deal also with public

1 The father of Thomasine Clopton, the second wife of Gov. Winthrop, married a
daughter of Edward Waldegrave, Esq., of Essex County.

2 I find on a copy of the Forth Pedigree, for which I am indebted to my friend
Richard Almack, Esq., of Long Melford, Suffolk County, Eng., that Elizabeth Forth, a
cousin of Winthrop' s first wife, married a merchant of London, named Poyntell ; and
this may, perhaps, be the true name.

8 This was " The Doctrine of Faith, Wherein are practically handled twelve princi-
pal! points, which explain the Nature and Use of it. By Jo. Rogers, Preacher of God's
Word at Dedham in Essex." It was dedicated to three ladies, one of whom was Win-
throp's cousin, the Lady Mildmay, as follows: "To the Right Worshipful, the Lady
Mildmay, wife of Sir Henry Mildmay of Graces, and to Mistris Helen Bacon of Shrib-
land Hall, and to Mistris Gurdon, wife to Master Branton Gurdon of Assington; the
Author prayeth all increase of Faith, many good dayes here, and eternall life in the
Kingdome of II^vcd " It had reached the eighth edition in 1640.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 209

men and public affairs, and show that their writer was
taking an active interest in all that was occurring at the
time. The letter of Dec. 18, in particular, would imply
that he had been concerned in some exciting controversy
at Bury. It undoubtedly related to the tyrannical mea-
sures of the Crown for extorting a forced Loan.

John Winthrop to his Son.
" To my loving Son, John Winthrop.

w My good Son, — I received your letter, and do bless God
for the continuance of your health, and of all our good friends
at London ; but I had no letters from any of them. For the
matter which you write of, I can give you no advice ; for I
must deal plainly and faithfully with all men, and especially
with my inward friends. So it is, that I have had lately some
speech with my cousin Waldegrave, about matching you with
his younger daughter, which I have referred to your own
liking ; but yet I cannot in honesty enter treaty for another,
till he hath some determinate answer. It is a religious and a
worshipful family ; but how the woman will like you, I know
not, for she is somewhat crooked. I will neither persuade
you to that, nor dissuade you from this or any other, w r hich
you shall desire, that may be fitting for my estate, and hopeful
of comfort to you, which is not to be judged of only by wealth
and person, but by meet parts and godly education. I trust
you will mind well that saying, Deliberandum est diu, quod statu-
endum est sernel.

W I praise God, we continue all in health, as you left us,
and, when you are weary of London, will be glad to see you
and your sister at home ; but take your own time before the
holidays. Your grandmother and mother salute and bless you
and your sister. Your mother thanks you for the things which
you sent her. Remember us very kindly to your uncles and

27

210 LITE AND LETTERS

aunts, and to all our cousins and good friends. The good Lord
guide, protect, and bless you in all your ways.

" Your loving father, " John Winthrop.

"November 21, 1626.

"I pray buy me a pair of stirrup stockens, the warmest you
can get ; and when you go near the bridge, on Fish Street
Hill dwells one that sells lines and packthread, — buy some
lines to raise up the long net, and some packthread to do it.
A hair line were best for the leads."

John Winthrop to his Son,

" To my lovinge Sonne John Winthrop at the house of Mr. Downinge
in ffleet St over ag* the Conduit, London.

"My good Sonne, — I received y r Lettre & doe blesse the
Lorde for the continuinge of yo r healthe, w* (through his mer-
cye) we all likewise enioye. ffor yo r returninge home sooner
or later, I leave you to yo r selfe & yo r good freinds y?** whom
you are : all the inconvenience of yo r tarrienge is that I shalbc
too burdensome to them, except I may paye for yo r diet; but
we shall agree for these thinges. ffor yo r Clothes, I tliinke fitt
you should have a newe suite, & for that I will sende you up
moncye so soone as it comes to hande. I spake last weeke w lh
my cosin Waldegrave &, in a lovinge respccte to each others
good, we are both at lib tye . Therefore if a good occasio be
offered you may certifie me of it. Mr. Simonds is now w th
us, but yet not certaine of his acceptinge the place, for the
meanes w ch we can promise, whilest Mr. Nicholson lives, are
so smale, as he is very doubt-full whither he mayc leave so good
& certaine a Conditio for one y* is smale & incertainc. If he
refuse it, I knowe not where we can be so well in all respects.
I praye God of his mercye dispose all for the best. All things
continue heere as you lefte them : the Lorde blesse, directe, &
prosper you allwayes. This is the prayer & salut" w ch yo r
grandmother, yo r mother & myselfe sende to you & yo r sister.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 211

Comende us to yo r good Aunts & Cosins. S r Nath : Barnard-
iston lodged w th us one night last weeke & yo r brother is heer
still ; but Mr. Smith came not. If there be any Curant 08 or
other likely newes sende it downe, So I rest

w Yo r loving father " John Winthbop.

"Dec: 4. 1626."

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my lovinge Sonne John Winthrop at the three ffawnes in the olde
Baylye, London.

w Mt good Sonne, — I wrote not the last weeke, trustinge
to Lewes Kelby his cominge to London, who failed, & went
not ; & besides it was a tyme of muche businesse & distraction,
which tooke up my minde more than ordinarylye. What the
carriage & issue of these late affaires hath been in our Coun-
trye, you shall knowe by my lettres to your unckle : I made
no other accompt but to have been at London before this letter,
but it hath seemed good to the Lords most wise providence to
dispose otherwise of it, as you may know by that my letter.
Sir Nath : Barnardiston came not to Burye till Saturday neare
noone, when all was doone, & when I was come out of towne
the Lords sent for him, but what conclusion he made with
them I doe not heare. When you have read your unckles letter,
I wish you would goe into Southwark to the Marshallsea, &
remember my Love and service to Sir Francis Barrington, 1 &
acquaint him how thinges have gone in our Countrye, but you
must doe it in private. I prayse God we are all here in health.
Your grandmother & mother salute & bless you. The good
Lord blesse you & sanctifie you throughout, & prepare & fitt
you a vessell for his kingdom, & guide us all wisely & faith-
rally in the middest of the dangers & discouragements of these
declining tymes : farewell.

"Your loving father W J. Winthrop.

41 Dec* 18 1626."

1 Sir Francis was doubtless in prison for resisting the forced loan; as Sir Nath.
Barnardiston certainly was, not far from the same time.

212 UFB AND UETTEB8

John Wkuhrop to his Son.

u To my loving Son, John Winthrop, at the House of Mr. Downing, at
the Sign of the Bishop, over against the Conduit, in Fleet street,
London.

"My good Son, — I wrote the last week so far as my
paper would reach. I hope you received my letters, which I
desire to understand from you, for Jarvice his man had them.
I bless God for your health and welfare ; but we now think
long to have you at home, for your brother l is to return to
Cambridge, and then we shall be alone ; but if there be any
good occasion to stay you still, I will not urge your hasty
return. Touching the matter of Mr. Pettuall, (though I can
give no direct answer where nothing is propounded, yet) thus
much in general, where I may have more money, I can depart
with the more land. I pray God give you wisdom and grace to
discern of meet gifts, and a disposition that may promise hope
of a comfortable life in the fear of God ; otherwise (if you
can so content your own mind) you were better live as you are.
But I commit this, and all our other affairs, to the only wise
providence of our heavenly Father.

w We have had much ado for a minister, since Mr. Simonds
refused it. Groton Church did not afford such variety of gifts
in divers years before. We have many suitors, that would
take it at a mean rate ; but for such as are worthy, all the
difficulty is to get maintenance enough. We are now (by
God's providence) like to fasten upon a godly man, one Mr.
Lea, 9 a curate at Denston in Suffolk, a man of very good
parts, but of a melancholic constitution, yet as sociable and
full of good discourse as I have known. All the parish are

1 Forth, who had, in April before, been admitted of Emanuel, and matriculated
4th July, in the rank of pensioner.

* He was afterwards settled at Groton. The name was William Leigh. He was son of
Ralph Leigh, a Cheshire man, who had been a soldier under the Earl of Essex at Cadiz;
and married Eliz. Newton, a daughter of a fellow of St John's, Cambridge, and a preacher
at Bury St Edmund's.— Rev. Jo*. Hunter, Mau. EisL CoU., vol. x. 8d ser. p. 156.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 213

very earnest with me to take him ; but I have taken a little
respite, because he is but a stranger to me, but well known to
divers in the town. He was Mr. Simond's pupil. I purpose
to send up £10 for my A. B. 1 if I can hear of any fit party ;
if not, you should receive some money of your uncle Downing
for Mr. John Brande. Lay out £10 of that, and I will restore
it, for I have the money by me. Be not known to any body
of any money yo\i receive for Mr. Brande ; but fail not to
write me word this week of the receipt of it. You may speak
to your uncle about it, lest he should forget it. Mr. Rogers
hath set forth a little book of faith. Buy it. I want a pair
of plain, ordinary knives, and some leaf tobacco and pipes.
You may buy these things at your leisure ; as likewise some
packthread and lines, hemp ones, if you will. Your grand-
mother and mother salute and bless you. The good Lord bless
you ever. Farewell.

w Your loving father, w John Winthrop.
"January 9, 1626.

W I should have sent up some fowls this week if they had
been fat."

We come now to a letter from John Winthrop, the
younger, to his father, sent by an express messenger
from London, which helps us to unravel a family mys-
tery. The father, in a letter to his wife, of uncertain
date, which has already been printed in the Appendix
to the History of New England, and which will be found

1 An " A.B.," on out side of the ocean, would stand for a degree of Bachelor of
Arts. Ten pounds would have been a large price to pay for one, however ; and Winthrop
would have been a little old at this period to purchase one. In England, too, the letters
indicating such a degree are always reversed. But after having repeatedly puzzled my
brain over this paragraph, in the notion that it might be a confirmation of the idea, that
Winthrop had, in some way or other, entitled himself to a place on the University roll,
it was an amusing relief to find, among the old family papers recently discovered, seve-
ral little quarterly receipts, indorsed " Aunt Branch, £10 " ! The receipts are all signed
u Reynold Branch; " and are given in behalf of his wife Elizabeth, for whom Winthrop
held an annuity of forty pounds.

214 LIFE AND LETTEBS

hereafter in this volume, tells her, " My office is gone ; "
and it has never been exactly ascertained to what office
he referred. Here is the clew ; and, in connection with
it, we may find fit occasion for adding some brief account
of Winthrop's professional career in England.

John Winthrop Jr. to his Fcdhm.

" To the Wor* his very loving father Mr. Winthrop at his house in
Groton these deliver swift:

"Most Loving father, — My duty remembred to your
selfe, my mother & grandmother, w* my love to my brothers
& the rest of o* freinds. The occasion of my sending thus
hastily is this : that whereas M r Lattimer one of the Atturnies
of the Court of Wards is yesterday dead, so as now that place
is void, my uncle Downing willed me to give you speedy notice
of it & desire you to come up w* all speed you can to
London ; for the M r is now out of towne & doth not returne
till Saterday nexte, & he would have you be here before his
comming home that you might ride some way out of towne to
meete him, because he feareth that if it be not granted present-
ly at his comming home, or before, the Bongs or Dukes letter
may be a meanes to make it be disposed of some other way ;
therefore if you have a mind to it, my uncle thinkes it will be
your best course to be heare upon friday at furthest, & he will
use all the meanes he can to obteyne it for you, & in the meane
tyme, if he can by any meanes, he will write into the country
to the M r about it. Thus hoping to see you soone at London
I desire your prayers & blessing & so rest

w Your Obedient Sonne w John Winthrop.

44 London. Jan : 14, 1626.

w The bearer hath promised to be vr** you by tomorrow at
night. I agreed w 1 * him for 5 s for the whole iournie, whereof
I have given him 2 already, but if he performeth his promise I
pray give him 5 or 6 more, for it wilbe cheaper then I could
have had any other.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 215

w Since the writing of my letter my uncle Downing himselfe
hath written. We are all well save little George 1 who hath
hadd one sore fitt of an ague.

w I think there is no great hast of sending up my Cozen
Jeames 2 so he be from Ipswich, therefore I thinke it would be
good to keepe him at Groton still this cold wether."

We know not how far the father conformed to these
urgent suggestions of his son. We doubt a little whe-
ther he hurried down to London, and rode " some way
out of town" to meet the Master of the Wards, and
waylay him with an application for a place just vacated
by death. It does not look altogether in keeping
with his dignity of character. Yet such things were
doubtless done in those days, as they are in these, by
worthy men. At all events, the appointment was
obtained; and many papers are left, which prove that
the elder Winthrop held this position for several years.
Among them is the following letter, addressed distinctly
" To my worthie lovinge ffryende Mr. Wynthrope, one
of the Atturnies in his Highness Courte of Wards &
Lyvereyes, at his chamber neere the inner temple in
Fleete Streete, London : " —

John Bowen to John Winthrop.

"Mr. Winthrope, — I comend me unto you with thankes
for your love & care in my buysines the last tearme &c. I have
sent you the Comission & our answers hereinclosed accordinge
to the effect of the sayd Commission, the which you shall

1 Afterwards Sir George Downing.

9 James Downing, the son of Emanuel by his first wife, and named after his grand-
father Sir James Ware.

216 LIFE AND LETTERS

receave by my loveing ffrynd & kinsman Mr. Roger Mortymer
— prayinge you to deliver it into the office that there be noe
advantage had against us ; & although it is returnable mense
tnichael: yet I doubt not but you will se that there be noe
advantage, beinge returned within the tearme, for verily e I
could not returne it rather, by any trustie messenger. I praye
you that you will motion the Court for dismission for us, that

I we may may be at libertie to proceed in chauncerie where my
suyte dependeth, & that Lewis John Ap howell and Ann his
wiefe may be lycensed to proceede in the Comon lawe for the
lands in Merthrie & Llandeloy, as well by reason that they
are poorc, as allsoe that the sayd ward is of full age & noe
longer in reason to be protected, therebie to keepe poore men

. from theyre right, with delay es & deversitie of suites : if they re
neede counsell to motion, uppon notice from you by this bearer,
I will send you fees for the same if I come not my self. Soe
not doubting of your care, I end with my best wishes & rest

w Your assured Lovinge ffrynd : * John Bowen.

" Haverford West the 24 of October 1627.

" You shall receave by this bearer the some of seaven shil-
lings to be disposed as you see cause, & whatsoever more you
shall disburs in the effectinge of the busynes, I will not miss
by Gods help to bringe it or send unto you. I have sent the
coppie of our answeres wherebie you may the better motion."

The Court of Wards and Liveries was first established
by Henry VIII. to remedy some of the abuses and ex-
tortions which had been practised by the notorious
Empson and Dudley, in the reign and under the autho-
rity of Henry VII. It had a large jurisdiction over
wards and their estates, over widows, and over lunatics.
Lord Coke gives a full account of it in his 4th Institute.
" The judges of this court," he says, " are the master,

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 217

the surveyor, the attorney, receiver-general, and the
auditors." * Winthrop was evidently not " the attorney "
thus included by Coke among the judges, but one of the
practising attorneys of the court, whose number seems
to have been limited, and who appear to have been the
subject of special appointment by the Master, — some-
times, as it would seem, upon the suggestion of the
king or his favorite minister.

Winthrop had long before been engaged in the prac-
tice of the law, in London and on the circuit, as his
letters sufficiently show. As early as 1622, we find
him telling his wife that he had " hasted into the city
about his business ; " and, from that time forward, there
are but few of his letters, whether to his wife or to his
son, which do not allude, more or less distinctly, to his
professional avocations. A few fragmentary legal memo-
randa and fee-bills are found among his papers, bearing
date 1622 ; several papers connected with his practice
in the Court of Wards and Liveries, dated 1624 ; and a
long docket of cases, running through 1626, '7, and '8.
Some of the papers bear the original attest of Sir Robert
Naunton, Master of the Wards, and one of his majesty's
Secretaries of State and Privy Councillors ; a and others
that of Sir Walter Pye, one of his majesty's attorneys
for the same court. The following letter from Sir
Robert Naunton (the original of which is found among
Winthrop's papers) would seem to show that the

l 4th Inst 202.

* Sir Robert Naunton was a native of Suffolk County. He was made Secretary of
State 8th January, 1617-18; King James (it is said) having been previously so well
pleaded with his eloquence and learning as to appoint him Master of the Court of
Wards.

28

218 UFE AND LETTERS

Countess of Nottingham was among his clients. She
may have sent the letter to him as an authority for his
appearance as her counsel in the suit.

Sir Robert Naunton to the Countess of Nottingham.

" To the right ho bIe Margarett Countesse of Nottingham.

w After my very harty comendacons to yo r good La ,pp , where-
as there is a Bill of Complaint exhibited before mee into his
Ma u Courte of Wards and Liveries, against yo r La ,pp on the
behalfe of the right ho bl * Charles Earle of Nott 8 , unto which
Bill by course of his Ma* Lawes awnsweere is to be maie, to
the intent the matter may receyve noe prejudice by anie delay,
I have therefore thought good to desire yo r La ,pp to send yo r
Sollicitor or Servant or some of yo r La lpp8 Councell unto the
said Court the Seaven and Twentith of this instant November
to peruse or take a copie of the said. Bill, and that yo r La ,pp
would thereupon make some awnsweare thereunto, To the end
the Cause may receive Try all as to Justice apperteineth, And
see I doe bidd yo r La ,pp most hartily farewell. From my howse
nerc Charing Crosse this ffoure and Twentith day of November
1627. w Yo r La Jps very loving freind

"Rob t Naunton."

He would seem to have had the Lady Sackville also
among his titled clients ; while his friend Brampton Gur-
don employed him in a case in which appears the name
of " John Brent," recently rendered so familiar by the
brilliant story of one of Winthrop's descendants. 1

The petition in this case may serve to illustrate still
further the character of the Court, and the mode in
which its proceedings were initiated.

i " John Brent," by the late Major Theodore Winthrop.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 219

« To the right ho b,e S r Robert Naunton k*, M r of his ma* Court of
Wards and Liveries.

"The humble petition of Brampton Gourdon; Humblie
sheweth unto yo r honor That whereas one John Brent of Cos-
sington in the Countie of Som r set Esq. did about fourteene
yeares since die seised of diverse lands w^in the said Countie
& elsewhere leavinge his sonne & heire w^in the age of twentie
une yeares, and whereas after the death of the said John Brent
an Inquisition was taken w^in the said Countie whereby it was
found that some of the said lands weare holden of the Bongs
Ma de in cheife by knights service & his Ma Ue thereupon intituled
to the custodie and wardship of the body & lands of the said
heire, and for that Elizab Brent mother of the said ward then
was & yet is a popish recusant convict : and therefore disabled
to have the custodie & education of her said sonne whereupon
the custodie and tuition of the said Ward & his estate was
comitted to one Richard Worth gent, brother of the said Eliza-
beth for his better education, but soe it is may it please yo r
honor that the said Richard Worth hath ever since the custodie
soe to him comitted suffered the said Elizabeth to have the sole
educacon of the said Ward, and thereby the said Ward through
the continuall practise & industrie of his said mother wholie
inclined unto the popish religion & hath for all the said tyme
refused to repaire to his or anie other parish church and to con-
forme himselfe to the religion of the church of England to the
eivell example of others & manifest hurt of the said Ward :

w May it therefore please yo r hono r to grant unto yo r supliant
the custodie & Wardship of the said Sonne & heire of John
Brent, and he shall see that the said ward be brought up accord-
ing to the religion of the Church of England, and yo r petitioner
shall praye."

Here is a letter, also, from Brampton Gurdon himself,
at that time High Sheriff of Suffolk County, dated on the

220 LIFE AND LETTERS

20th of October, — unfortunately, without any designa-
tion of the year, but evidently belonging to this period,
— the address of which shows that Winthrop then occu-
pied a chamber in the Temple, and was engaged in
similar practice.

Brampton Gurdon to John Winthrop,

u To my worthy good friend Mr. Winthrop at his Chamber in the Tem-
ple lane near the Cloyster, give these —

w Good Sir, — Let me entreat your favor to this bearer, Mr.
Warford, who is a Master of Arts of six years standing. He
hath spent three years here in my brother Sedlyes house* as a
schoolmaster wherein he hath approved himself. I have some
few times heard him preach in publick, and often I have heard
him pray in the family for which he deserveth well to be ap-
proved. My request is that you will help him in his suit to
the Master of the Wards. He hath a presentation from Mrs.
Gurny who is guardian to her son who wanteth a few months
of being of full age. I know the Masters have right to pre-
sent. Young Mr. Gurney cometh with him to manifest his
good will for the furthering of him to this living. I am loth
to make this my suit to the Master because I purpose, if God
will, to wait upon his honor before such time as the King prick
shrieves, 1 and to renew my suit again to him. I pray be helpful
to Mr. Warford that he may be kindly delt with by the officers
under whom he must pass, and so in haste with my commenda-
tions to you and to Mr. Downing I pray God to keep us.

rt Your very loving friend w Brampton Gurdon.

"Morly this 20 of 8ber."

Winthrop's professional services appear also to have
brought him more or less into connection with the Par-

1 The custom of the sovereign pricking the names of sheriffs is well known to this
day.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 221

liamentary proceedings of the time. We find among
his papers no less than three original draughts of bills,
which either were, or were intended to be, introduced
into Parliament. They are wholly in his own hand-
writing, on large paper, with ample margins, and pre-
pared as if for the consideration of a Legislative Com-
mittee. One of them is entitled " An Act to settle a
course in the assessing and levying of common charges
in towns and parishes;" another is "An Act for the
preventing of the multitude of causeless suits, and of
the great vexation of the inferior sort of people thereby ; "
and the third is " An Act for the preventing of drunken-
ness and of the great waste of corn."

This last bill may be worth inserting here, as an illus-
tration of the views entertained in those days on a subject
so much vexed and agitated in our own. It will hardly
add much to our means of solving that most difficult of
all social problems, — the preventing of intemperance;
but it may suggest that the difficulty was as great two
centuries and a half ago as it is now, and that, too, when
there was nothing stronger in common use than beer and
ale. The bill reads as follows : —

" An Act for the preventing of Drunkenness and of the great waste

of Corn.

"Forasmuch as it is evident that the excessive strength of
Beer and Ale in Inns and Alehouses is a principal occasion
of the waste of the grain of this Kingdom, and the only fuel of
drunkenness and disorder which by no laws could hitherto be
repressed, because they were not limited to a reasonable and
wholesome proportion in the strength of Beer and Ale :

w Be it therefore enacted by the King's most excellent majes-

222 LIFE AND LETTERS

ty, the Lords Spiritual and temporal, and the commons in this
present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same, .
that no Innkeeper, Taverner, Alehousekeeper, or keeper of
other Victualling or Tipling house, after forty days next ensu-
ing the end of this present session of Parliament, shall have in
his, her,, or their houses any more than one sort of Beer or Ale
only, and the same to be of no higher or greater strength than
after the rate of two bushells of malt to one hogshead ; and if
any Innkeeper, Taverner, Ale-housekeeper, or keeper of any
victualling or tiplinghouse shall brew other, or have in his
or her house any more than one sort of beer or ale, or shall
brew, utter, or have in his or her house any Beer or Ale
whercunto shall be put more than two bushells of malt to one
hogshead, then every such party so offending against the true
intent and meaning of this Statute shall forfeit for every offence
ten pounds, the one half to the Informer, and the other to the
Benefit of the house of Correction of the same limits, to be
levied by distress by warrant from the Court or justices before
whom the same shall be tried. And if any such offender shall
not have whereby he or she may be so distrained or shall not
tender sufficient security for the payment thereof in such manner
and form as the said Court or justices shall appoint, then they
shall inflict such bodily punishment upon the offender by pillory
or whipping as they shall see the cause to deserve. And the
intent of this Act is that no person who shall sell or utter any
beer or Ale, without lawful license or authority, shall take ad-
vantage of his own wrong, but shall be subject to the penalties
of this law, if he shall offend against the same."

A reference to the Journals of Parliament, and to the
English statutes at large, proves that the subject-matter
of these bills underwent much consideration and much
.legislation in the years 1626 and 1628. The bills, as
draughted by Winthrop, however, never became laws ;
and the papers in his handwriting are thus proved to be the

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 223

originals of what was proposed, and not the mere copies
of what had been passed. Perhaps they may have been
prepared for his intimate friends Sir Nathaniel Barnard-
iston and Sir William Spring, who were knights for the
county of Suffolk in 1628, and whose names are repeat-
edly found in his correspondence ; or perhaps they only
indicate that one part of his professional practice was
that which is believed to have become of late years the
most lucrative occupation of an English lawyer, — the
attendance on committees of the House of Commons.

Before leaving the subject of Winthrop's professional
practice in England, we may allude to Cotton Mather's
story, that he was made a justice of the peace at eighteen
years of age. The story does not seem probable; but
there is ample evidence that he held the commission for
many years before coming to America. He describee
himself expressly as a justice, in a paper still extant,
as early as 1619. In another paper, written in New
England, he alludes to having had "twenty years'
experience in the Commission of the Peace ; " referring,
as it would seem, in round numbers, to his experience
in Old England. The religious confessions, too, which
have been heretofore given, refer more than once to the
exercise of hiB duties as a magistrate. Meantime, the
following letter from his mother to her son-in-law,
Emanuel Downing, proves that he did not hold the office
continuously, and that " many good men were desirous to
have him in againe," when he had withdrawn from the
commission for a time. Unfortunately, there is no date
to the letter; but it was certainly after 1622. It will
have an interest, perhaps, as one of the few remaining

224 UFB AND LETTERS

letters of Winthrop's mother. At all events, it will serve
as a welcome conclusion to this long chapter.

Anne Winthrop to Emanuel Downing.

" To her lovinge Sonne Mr. Emanuell Downing, these.

w Good Sonne, — I am forst now to doe that I have hether-
to bin ashamed to doe, that is to trouble you with my dull
head and scriblinge hand. The matter is I am suspected &
accused to be a means to make you unwilling & to denye your
helpe for my Sonus comming into the commission againe ; indeed
for his owne part I was very willing to have him out, but hear-
ing the great want that is of him in the country, and so many
good men so desirous to have him in againe, I cannot but hide-
vour my self to further ther desires what lies in me ; therefor
I pray you, good sonne, that at my request you would doe so
much as to speake a good word in the cause. I will not use
many words to perswaid you as though I did mistrust your
kindness, when as I assure myselfe to have so much interest in
your love that you will at my request speake a word, especially
when it shall be to the good of many & no hurt to your selfe.
Only your word shall satisne me. I am very glad to hear that
you cam well to your iournies end ; your children they are all
well. I pray God grant you all still the blessinge of healthe
& all other good blessings. Thus with the remembrance of my
love to your selfe & your second selfe, I cease to trouble you
any further. Vale in Ckmto.

w Your loving mother, w Anne Winthrop."

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 225

CHAPTER XII.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN WINTHROP AND HIS WIFE. LETTERS
FROM FORTH BY HOBSON THE CARRIER, 1626-7.

We give up the greater part of this chapter to letters,
some of which are of doubtful date, but all of which
seem to belong to the period between September, 1626,
and June, 1627. The first was addressed by Winthrop
to his wife, when she had gone again to visit her old
home in Essex County. The others passed between them
while he was engaged in professional business in London,
or on the circuit, leaving her to take care of the house-
hold at Groton Manor. They are all new letters, never
before published, and which have probably remained
undisturbed in the old family file since the death of
their writers. They deal but little with either public
or private affairs; but all the more do they illustrate
that spirit of Christian love which is so beautiful an
element in the characters of them both. The faithful
and affectionate Margaret will not often appear to
greater advantage than in one or two of these letters.
It will be observed that we have interrupted the conjugal
correspondence at one point, to introduce two letters
written by Forth Winthrop to his father from the Uni-
versity of Cambridge. But we reserve the apology for
that interruption until it occurs.

29

226 LIFE AND LETTERS

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"To my verye lovinge wife M™ Winthrop at Chemsye house in G*

Maplested,

w My sweet wife, — The grace & blessing of the Lorde
be w* thee ever, & w th us bothe, for the continuance & increase
of o r mutuall love in all truethe & holinesse.; whereunto let us
strive by prayer & stirringe up each other, that we may have
full assurance of o r beinge in Christ, by o r livelynesse in Chris-
tianitye ; that we may live that life of faithe, w ch onely affords
true peace, comfort, & contentatio : & if by this meanes the
world shall disclaime us as none of hirs, & shall refuse to hould
out to us suche full breasts as she dothe to others, this shall not
need to trouble us, but rather may give us matter of ioye in
that beinge strangers heere, we may looke for o r inheritance in
a better life. I feared thou shouldst take could & therefore I
have sent thee another garment. I knowe not certainely when
I shall come for thee, but as soone as conveniently I can : in
. the meane tyme, be sure, my heart is w 01 thee, & so I comende
thee againe to the protection, blessinge & direction of o r heaven-
ly father, farewell — " Thine &c : " John AYintiirop.
" from SrimuuYE Sept : 26.

" Remember my dutye & love to all as thou knowest I owe
them."

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

" To my very lovinge Husband John Winthrope Esquire, these &c

"Most deare nuSBAND, — I did thinke to have ritten no
more to you, t hopeinge to see you shortly ; and yet I am so
much indebtted to you for your lovinge and longe letters, that
I must nedes rite a word or two to show my thankful nesse and
kind exceptance of them, allthoughe I can doe not hinge to
equall them or to requit your love ; and so I thinke I had better
doe a littell then not at all, that I may shew my willingnesse
to doe it thoughe I am ashamed I can doe no better. And
now I shall longe for that happy hour when I shall see you

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 227

and injoy my sweet and deare husband ; the Lord send us a
comfortable meetinge. I am sory the wether is so bad. I pray
be as carefull as you can of takeinge colde. — I send up by John
a pece of plate, and a turkey for my brother Fones. I pray
remember my love to my brothers and sisters and my sonne
John, and thus with my dearest and best affections to my
beloved husband, desireinge the Lord to send you a safe and
prosperous journey, I commit you to the protection of almyty
God who is onely able to keepe you.

"Your lovinge and obedient wife
"February 13. "MarGARE* WlNTHROFE,

w I pray if you doe not think this peece of plate which I have
sent up good enufe, that you would make choyce of a better
your selfe when you come home ; you shall have it with a very
good will."

Margaret Winihrop to her Husband,

w My most deare Husband, — I have no way to manifeast
my love to you but by these my unworthy lines, which I woulde
intreate you to except from hir that loveth you with an unfayned
hart. I shall now know what it is to want a loveing husban
that I may more prise and esteme of him when I have him ;
my mother is cominge to you aboute a weake or fortnight
hence and so I shall be depryved of you booth. I pray God
I may by fayth la holde on Christ Jesus and his benefites, that
he may be instead of husband and mother and all other frends
by the comfort of his holy Spirit. I prayse God we are all
heare in helth. M r Ley is gone home and returneth no more
till thursday com senight. * I pray remember my love to my
brothers and sisters and cosins ; my blessings to my sonne
John and my daughter Mary, thus with my best love to your
selfe, desiringe to be remembred in your prayers, I commit
you to the Lord and rest Your Obedient Wife

"IOApurel. - "M. W.

"My mother remembreth hir love to you all. You shall
receve by the caryer your bedding and a cupple of capons."

LIFE AND LETTERS

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To my very lovinge Wife M™ Winthrop iun. at Groton in Suffolk.

"Most sweet Wife, — Thy kinde Lettre was sent to me
this eveninge from London : how welcome it was to me I can-
not expresse. I am sorye I am so streightened in tyme as I
canot write to thee as I would : God be blessed for his mercye
towards thee & thine & all o r famylye, & o r selves also in o r
iorneye & businesse, w ch hath hitherto had successe beyonde o r
expectation : We must attende at the Court again to morrow,
when I hope we shall knowe how things will goe. The Lo :
in mercye be still w 1 * thee & all thine & sende us a comfortable
meetinge. Remember my duty to my mother, my brother sa-
lutes thee etc : farewell mine owne sweet heart.

"Thy faithfull husband "John Winthbop.

"From Kingston neere Hampton Court this tuesdaye eveninge."

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

"Most deare and lovinge Husband, — I receved your
most kinde and comfort table letters and the things you sent, for
w ch I hartyly thanke you. I prayse God for the continuanc of
y or helth and all the rest of our frends. I am glad to heare that
my sonne Henrys voyage is like to be for his good. I pray
God goe out with him and send him a safe returne that wee
may have cause to blesse God for him. My good husban I
thanke you for putinge me in mindc to be chereful, and to put
my trust in my good God who hath never fayled me in time
of nede. I beseech him to continue his mercy stil to me and
grant that my sinnes may not provoke his anger against me :
for he is a just God and will punnish offenders. The lord give
me grace to make my peace with him in Jesus Christ our lord
and onely Saviour, who siteth at the right hand of God a medi-
ator for us. I did send Mr. Weny the little boxe uppon Wens-
day night, but he sayd it came to late ; he should have had it
in the morning. I have not yet receved any inonye to pave
Gage but as soune as I have 1 will paye him ; Chot was with

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 229

me for monye and had a little ; I knew not his want and
thought I had better let him have sume then drive him to steal
and offend God. My mother will come up the next weake if
the wether be any thinnge warme (or elce not) and bringe little
Luse and James ; * she sayth that she shall use y or horses, and
so my brother Jennye 2 can not have any ; she sayth that John
shall nede goe no further then Witham, for ther she will meete
Ipswich Coach. I pray tell my good sonne John that I thanke
him for my Booke and for my boyes tokens, and thus with my
mothers and my owne true love remembred to you all in the
best maner we can expresse, and so intreating you to be mind-
full of me and myne in y° r prayers I commit you to the lord
our good God and rest

* Your obedient wife allways w Margaret Winthrope.
"Apuril 17.

* Heare was with me Thomas Axden 3 and brought a letter
from Forth w * I send you ; he did aske me if you sayd nothinge
to me about his tutors quarterage and I told him I would right
to you about it ; he came over to see Thomas Calewe and is
returned back againe. We are all heare in helth I prayse God,
my brother Goslinge and sister remember thear love to you all,
he cometh up with my mother."

Forth Winthrop seems to have written to his father
more particularly, soon afterwards, on the subject men-
tioned in his mother's postscript. The letter is still
extant, with a date which serves to fix that of his
mother's letter. But it is especially interesting from its
allusion to Hobson, the Cambridge carrier, whom Milton
has immortalized by two epitaphs, and whose name will
live longer in the proverb, " Hobson's choice," than even

1 These were undoubtedly the Downing children, who were then residing at Groton.

* George Jenney of London married Mary Clopton, a sister of Winthrop's second
wife. — Clopton Pedigree, from Ike British Museum.

* Thomas Archiaden, who was Forth's chum at Cambridge.

230 LIFE AND LETTEBS

in Milton's poetry. Hobson was now eighty-three years
of age, and was within three years of the time when he
sickened and died, because the prevalence of the plague
had compelled him to suspend his weekly journeys to
London. He had carried letters and parcels for all the
wits of the University for more than sixty years ; and
was evidently a great favorite of Milton, with whom
Forth Winthrop was contemporary at Cambridge, though
of a different college. A letter which was actually
carried up to London by old Hobson is certainly worth
preserving and printing, — and here it is; and with it
another, from the same pen and place, which shows how
much safer it was to send by the good old carrier, of
established name and fame, than by the unknown hand,
which probably undertook to push him aside as super-
annuated : 1 —

Forth Winthrop to his Father.

"Most lovinge father, — I received your letters by S r
Neuton & doe thanke you for yo r good counsell & for yo r
kinde token ; I delivered your token to my chamber-fellow, 2
whoe w th thanks retournes his servis : I had sent to you a fort-
night agoe, but that my Tutor beinge at London I hoped he
had spoken w th you eonsearninge o r quarttridge. I spoke w !h
him about it, who saicth he sent you a bill of both o r expenses ;
he tould mc y l we weare behinde w th him 3 lb 13 s , & now an
other month is come in since, which maketh it up 4 lb . If you
will send us money for him, you may safely deliver it to Hob-
son, the Cambridge carrier, by whom I send up now, mark-
inge the letter for a mony letter :

1 Professor Masson gives a most interesting account of Hobsou in the fourth chap-
ter of his Life of Milton.

2 Doubtless the origin of chum.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 231

ff My tutor rcmembreth his love to you, whoe said he had
thought to have come to Groton this Whitsontide, but his
inexpected journey to London staid the other : My mother &
grandmother are in helth fro whome I heard lately. S r Har-
coote senior (for the iunior is in the Country) thanketh you for
yo r kind remembrance of him, & remembreth his service to
you : Thus w* my duty remembred to you, & my love to all
my friends in generall, allwaies desiringe yo r blessings & praiers
for a blessinge on my studies, I humbly leave you & yo r affaires
to the blessinge of the Allmighty, & rest

"Yo r Obedient Sonne "Forth Winthrop.

"ffrom Cambridge May 1. 1627.

" I would intreate you to send me downe some stuffe by the
Carrier for a sute, for I have great neede of one : "

Forth Winthrop to his Father.

"Most lovtnge father, — Havinge such an occasion as
the cominge downe of Tho : Archisden my chamberfellow &
S r Caly, I thought good, though in some hast, to wright to you
by reason of the sooddan iourney of these 2 : I hope you are
all in health as I am here (blessed be God Allmighty) whom
I humbly beseech to assist me most graciously by his holy
spirrit to run the waies of godlyness & to shun the venomous
& contagious vices of these outragious times, wherein I once
was intangled, but hope by the good spiritt of God to fly them
more & more ; although by my selfe I am utterly unable, yet
I will not cease to put up my humble petitions & praiers to
him y* is the keeper of Israeli, & doe likewise desire yo r praiers
for the same : My Tutor sent downe a letter to you a while
since by one Devurux who received it of Tho : Arkisden, I not
knowinge of it ; now since this Devurux sent a note to Tho :
Archisden that he had forgot the letter, & his owne letter, for
belike he sent one to you : I would desire you to send word
whether you have received them or noe : for that Devurux, as
I heare say, doeth use to take in hand the cariage of letters &
opens them & not delivereth them : I suppose you have heard

232 MFE AND LETTERS

of the news of o r colledge businesse about the alteringe of a
statute of the library, also y 1 the Duke is about to make for
the University ; if not, these 2 : S r Caly & Tho : Ark : can
certify you of them :

"Thus w tt my humble duty remembred to yo r selfe & my
mother, & love to the rest of my friends, allwaies desireing yo r
praiers & blessings, in haste I rest

"Yo r dutifull & obedient Sonne W F. Winthkop.

w I would desire you to send me the shoes for w** I wrote
you : I have need of some clothes, for these are worne out :
wherefore I would entreat you, sometime when you shall see
fitt, to send me up some stuffe for to make me clothes, or
otherwise as you shall see most convenient:"

We proceed now with the remaining letters between
Winthrop and his wife belonging to this period.

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

"My deare Husband, — I received thy most kinde Letter
and thanke thee for it. I wish thy imployments coulde suffer
thee to come home, but I must wayt the time till I may cnioy
thee, though it cannot be without much want of thy beloved
presence, which I desyre alwayes to have with me. I see it is
the will of God that it shoulde be so, w ch makes me beare it
the more paciently, and not any want of love in my beloved
Husband. And now my deare I have nothinge to right of to
thee but my love which is all ready knowne to thee, and it
ware needeles for me to make relation of that which thou art
so wel assured. I will leave off this discorce for this time. I
shalbe glad to heare of my daughter Mary, how hir mach
goeth forwarde. Wee are all heare in reasonable good health
I prayse God, w ch is the best nuse I can right to thee of. I
heare that M r Apulton is dead that lived at S r R C ; l he dyed

1 John Appleton, about 1610, married Francis Crane, of Chilton, and resided at
Chilton Hall, the seat of Sir Robert Crane. — AppleUm Memorial, p. 67.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 233

very suddaynely on Saterday being well over night : and thus
with my best love to thyselfe, brother and sister Downinge, my
sonne I & daughter M, I desyre the Lord to continue all your
healthes and prosper all your affayres and send us a happy
metinge. I being sleppy, as you may see by my righting, bid
my good Husban good night and commit him to the safe pro-
tection of almyty God and rest

" thy faythfull and obedient wife

"Mabgaret Winthrop.

"I am doutfull whether to send thy horsses this weeke or
stay till I here from thee."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My sweet wife, — I hope it will please o r good God now
soone to fullfill o r desires in comfortinge us in the wished enioy-
inge of each others presence, vr** tyme the neerer it drawee the
more it ioyes me to thinke of it : for such is my love to thee
(my deare spouse) as were it not that my imployment (where-
to Gods providence hath disposed me) did enforce me to it, I
could not live comfortably from thee halfe thus longe : & I shall
now hasten home so soone as my businesse will give me leave,
therfore lett John be heer on Saturdaye, & I hope (God will-
inge) to be w* thee on teusdaye. I have nothinge to write to
thee of, but that w^ wilbe the moste wellcome newes to thee,
y* through Gods mercye I am in health, & all o r friends heer, &
I trust to heare of the like blessinge upon thee <fc all <f familye.
The Lorde make us more truely thankfull : & so w* my love
& dutye to my good mother, hearty salutations to all o r good
freinds, M r Leigh & his wife, brother Gostlin & sister, & all as
thou knowest, w tt my blessings to o r children, I comende thee
earnestly to the grace & blessinge of o r heavenly father, so I
kisse my sweet wife & rest alwayes

"Thy faithfull husband "John Winthbop.

14 From my chamber at the Temple Gate, June 12, 1627."

80

884

- Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

"To my very lovinge Husband John Wlnthrope Esquire at M* Down-
inge house in fleete strete neere the ooundite these del'.

"My moot kindb & lovinge Husband, — I did receve
your most sweet . Letter by my brother Goslinge, and doe
.prayse God for the continuance of your health, and the rest
oi our frends. I thanke the Lorde wee are also in health, and
thinke longe for your coming home. My good husband y*
love to me doeth dayly give me cause of comfort, and doeth
much increce my love to you, for love liveth by love. I ware
worse then a brute beast if I should not love and be faythfuU
to thee, who hath deserved so well at my hands. I am ashamed
and greved with my selfe that I have no thinge within or with-
out worthy of thee, and yet it pleaseth thee to except of both
and to rest contented. I had need to amend my life and pray
tp God for more grace that I may not deceve you of those good
hopes which you have of me,— -a sinfull woman, full of infirmy-
ties, continually fay leinge of what I desire and what I ought
to performe to the Lorde and thy selfe. I hope in God wee
shall now shortly meet with comfort, for which I shall pray. —
Your horse shal be at London upon Saterday and we shall see
you I hope on tuesday. I will send you up by John that you
did rite for, and if you thinke good you may change it for a
nue one, but doe as you thinke best ; if I have any thinge that
may plesure you at any time you shall willingly have it, and if
the carier doe call heere this weeke I will send my sister Down-
inge some puddings to make hir some part of amense, because
hir share was so small in the last. My mother and my selfe
and brother and sister Goslinge remember our love to you and
all the rest of our frends ; my brother Jenney remembers his
love to you and woulde intreate you to deliver this letter heare
inclosed ; and thus with my love and best affections even with
a love incresinge I take my leave and commit you to the Lord,
who is alsoficient and able to preserve you from all danger and
send you safe home. Your lovinge and obedient wife

"Margaret Winthrope.
"I pray remember my blesinge and love to my sonne John."

OF JOHN WINTHEOP. 235

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"Mr most deabe & sweet Spouse, ; — I received thy
kbde Lettre, the true Image of thy most lovinge heart, breath-
inge out the faithfull desires of thy sweet sowle, towards him
that prizeth thee above all thinges in the world : & blessed be
o r good God & heavenly father, who of his rich mercye is
pleased still to afforde us matter of ioy & thankfullnesse in the
good newes of each others wellfare, & of those w ch are neere
& deare unto us : our onely care must be how to be answear-
able in o r thankfullnesse & walkinge worthy his great mercies.
We continue all in health, I prayse God : I had a Lettre
w^in these 2 dayes from my sonne John who hath been out at
sea in verye stormy weather, but is returned safe to Ports-
mouth : Heer is no newes ; the Duke is gone to Portsmo 411 , &
2 or 3 Londoners comitted about the Loanc. Thus hoping in
God that we shall meet on teusdaye or Wensdaye next, 1
comende thee & all ours to the grace & blessings of the Lorde,
& w** my duty to my good mother, & all o r lovinge salutations
to thy selfe, my blessings to o r children, & salutations to all o r
friends, I kisse my sweet wife & rest

w Thine as his owne w J : W :

"Londo June 15 1627."

In the last of these letters, it will be observed, Win-
throp informs his wife that " his son John had been out
at sea in very stormy weather, but had returned safe to
Portsmouth ; " whither, he adds, "the Duke is gone."
We shall find an interesting explanation of this state-
ment in the next chapter.

236 LIFE AND LETTERS

CHAPTER Xm.

THE YOUNGER JOHN WINTHROFS NAVAL ADVENTURES. FAMILY
CORRESPONDENCE. — 1627-8.1

The idea of an early marriage having been abandoned,
and the practice of the law not being altogether to his
taste, the younger Winthrop now turns his thoughts to
foreign travels and adventures. His father would seem
to have applied to one of his relatives, the Downings,
for advice and counsel on the subject; and the two
following letters from Joshua Downing (a cousin of
Emanuel), who evidently was much concerned with
either the mercantile or the military marine of England
at that period, furnish ample information as to what was
proposed and what was decided upon : —

Joshua Downing to John Winthrop,

" To my verie Worthie ffreind John Winthrop Esquyer — give theise,

London.

"Good S r , — I received yo r kinde & comfortable letters,
ffor w ch I render yo u hartie thanckes ; hoping that the lord will
enable me to a pacient waiting upon his will, & that he will,
in his good tyme, make all thinges to w r orke for the best for
me, according to his good pleasure. I shalbe right glad to
enioy yo r company, w th my Cosins, at yo r best leisure.

1 All the letters in this long chapter, except six, are here printed for the first time.

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 237

w Concerning M r . John Wenthrops inclinacion to the Sea, I
will use my best endeavours for hym ; but I have no parte in
any shipping that goes ffor Turkie, & the marchants that are
owners, doe comonly place their owne servaunts for pursers ;
but if he picaseth to goe alonge in those shipps as a passinger
to see the Contries ; the Chardges of his Dyett shall not be
great, & I will comitt hym to the care of them, that wilbe ten-
der over hym, so shall he have more libertie for hymselfe, &
have all occasions to make the best observacions for his owne
good. But what if yo u send him nowe out in this ffleet w th the
Duke; the lord Harvey is rear admyrall, & I thinck a well
disposed gentleman ; The Captain under hym is Captain Best ;
in whome I have some interest. If yo° shall please to thinck
well of it, advize me speedily, & I will deale w 1 * Captain Best
accordingly. Thus w th myne, & my wife's hartie love to yo r
selfe, M** Wenthrop & yo r mother, w tt Mr. John, & all yo™, I
desier the benefite of yo r prayers to God for us ; & so comend
us to his fatherly proteccion, & rest ever

w Yo r assured loving friend to Comaund,

"JOSUA DOWNYNG.
" Chatham Dock. 24* Aprill, 1627."

Joshua Downing to John Winthrop.

"Sir, — I have not seen Captain Best since I received yo r
letters (althoughe I have expected hym heere dayly ;) neither
doe I suppose to see hym before his voyage, in regard that I
understand the shipps are to depart speedily into Tilburie hope ;
— Therefore I have written a letter to hym, which I send you
unsealed, inclosed in this letter. When y° u have perused it, if
j° n shall please to make use of it, seale it upp, & send it by y° r
eonne. Otherwise keepe it at yo r pleasure. If (in any thinge)
I can doe yo u any kindness I will thinck myselfe happy in doinge
it. Thus w tt my hartie love to y° u & my Cosen Downyng vr*
all yo", I rest *

" Yo r assured faithfull frend w Josua Downyng.

*< Chatham Dock 4* May, 1627."

238 LIFE AND LETTERS

In accordance with the suggestion contained in the
first of these letters, John Winthrop, jun., entered at
once into the naval service of the kingdom*, and joined
the expedition, under the lead of the Duke of Bucking-
ham, for the relief of the French Protestants at Rochelle.
He seems to have acted as the secretary of Capt. Best,
of the " Due Repulse," under the command of Rear-
Admiral Lord Hervey. Among his papers is found the
following original letter from Lord Hervey to his cap-
tain: —

Rear Admiral Lord Hervey to Captain Best.

"London. Aprill, 15. 1G27.

* Captain Best, — this is to advertise you that the Duke
hath bin at Chatham to see in what forwardness the ships are
w** are to goe this Vyage, & finds that they wilbe all ready to
take in ther victuals this weeke cominge, part at Rochester,
the rest from London, w ch is presently to be sent unto them ;
— and our ship I hope wilbe none of the latermost : one
thinge I find to be slakly cared for, and that is the Guner w th
his stores, — and it is caused by the change of the Guiier, he
that is chosen beinge absent from the ship, thothcr that belonged
to the ship neglectinge his affairs, by reason he is put by for
the present. —

" I wish I might speake w th you concerning that matter, that
order might be given in dew time — Otherwise our ship wilbe
unprovided, when thothers wilbe to sett saile — The Master
Cole came to London on Thursday last w th intent to have
acquainted you w th all thinges there, but findinge you were out
of Towne returned to Rochester again. When I shall speake
w th you, I will acquaint you w th the particulars. The Duke
makes all the hast that may be. This is all I have for the
present, and therefore w th my kindest wishes unto you I leave
remayninge

"Your assured Lovinge frend, fr W. Hervey."

OF JOHN WJLNTHKOP. 239

Here, too, are some instructions for the fleet, prepared
for Capt. Skip worth, but probably communicated to all
the other captains. They are found in the younger
Winthrop's handwriting, and show that the " Due Re-
pulse," with which he was associated, was one of the
principal vessels of the fleet. They also give an exam-
ple of discipline and vigilance which might well be
followed in some of the expeditions of other lands and
later days.

"Instructions for Captaine Skipworth by vertue of order
receyved from S r John Watts who is authorised thereunto from
the Right Ho b,e the Duke of Buckingham, Lord High Admirall
of England.

* 1 That you attend his Ma t8 Ship the Due Repulse to goe
to the Westward & there to spend such tyme as is & shalbe
assigned to us by future Comands betweene the Isle of Wight
& the Coast of France & at Convenient tymes to put into
Stoak bay both to give intelligence of all occurrences & to
receive further direction.

* f 2 And for better performance of o r Duties I do recomend
you these few provisions.

w 3 That all the Day you birth yourselves as neere as you
may South South east & North North West crosse the Chanell
some five or six miles one from the other & so from the Repulse
each ship to take his birth as it shall fall out keeping the Dis-
tance, And if any man shall discover a saile or sailcs presently
to give chase first setteling once his maine top saile & Shoote
of one peece & so the next to ster and then the rest if there
shalbe Cause that so all may take knowledge, & in case of
cliverse Chases at once then each man to aply him selfe for the
l>est as his advantage doth give leave, and upon the end &
finishing of the businesse to make p r sent repaire unto the Re-
pulse to give an accompte of all past, That so my Lord Admirall

240 LIFE AND LETTERS

from me may be informed according to my Instructions. And
if any man take any ship and have lost the Repulse that then
he direct himselfe and prise to Portsmouth or for the Downes
to eyther as wind will best permitte, and presently upon his
arrivall to eyther to advise my Lord Admirall.

"4 If it shall happen that any man loose Companie of the
Repulse that then upon sight eyther of me or any of o r fleet
then to hoise and strike twice, and all other ships to her to doe
the like.

" 5 The nights short and you understanding ; small Instruc-
tions will suffice. At night to gather your sclfes about the
Repulse that, so you may attend upon the light, and when the
Dawning apeares about two of the Clocke to disperse your-
selves according to these my Directions.

" And these for this our short imployment I take to be suffi-
cient.

w If it shall happen that in giving of Chase I cast of o r long
boate or any other of o r boats that then if you be neerest to
her you take her up & when you may to bring her to us.
Vale."

The Duke of Buckingham sailed from Portsmouth on
the 27th of June, 1627 ; probably after as many delays
and postponements as proverbially attend great expedi-
tions by sea and land, in all ages and climes. The elder
Winthrop dated his parting letter to his son three weeks
earlier. It was not of a character to spoil by keeping.
It would serve as well for one going to fight the battles
of his country to-day, as it did two hundred and thirty-
five years ago. Nothing could be nobler in substance,
or more exquisite in expression, than the counsel which

it conveys.

*■

" Only be careful," says the father, " to seek the Lord
in the first place, and with all earnestness, as He who is

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 241

only able to keep you in all perils, and to give you favor
in the sight of those who may be instruments of your
welfare ; and account it a great point of wisdom to keep
diligent watch over yourself, that you may neither be
infected by the evil conversation of any that you may be
forced to converse with, neither that your own speech or
behavior be any just occasion to hurt or insnare you.
Be not rash, upon ostentation of valor, to adventure
yourself to unnecessary dangers ; but, if you be lawfully
called, let it appear that you hold your life for Him who
gave it you, and will preserve it unto the farthest period
of his own holy decree. For you may be resolved, that,
while you keep in your way, all the cannons or enemies
in the world shall not be able to shorten your days one
minute."

Winthrop could hardly have known much about
Shakspeare's " Hamlet," though it was played and pub-
lished about twenty years before this letter was written ;
but no one, who is familiar with that great tragedy, can
fail to be reminded, by the passage just quoted, of the
parting precepts of Polonius to the young Laertes : —

" Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportioned thought his act.

Beware

Of entrance to a quarrel ; but, being in,
Bear it that the opposer may beware of thee.
Give every man* thine ear, but few thy voice ;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

This above all, — to thine own self be true ;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man/'

A religious reader might, perhaps, give the preference

31

to Winthrop's prose over even the matchless blank-verse
of Shakspeare. But we must give the whole letter: —

John Wkuhrop to M$ So*.

«To my loving Sod, John Wmthrop, attending upon CmpL Bert, in h»
Majesty's Ship the Doe Repulse, at Portsmouth.

"My Good Sow, — I received your letter from Qiave s ead ,
"and do bless God for your safe arrival there ; but I heard not
from you since, which I impute to the sodden departure of your
captain out of the Downs upon the duke's coming thither. Bat
I hope to hear from you soon, for I long to understand how yon
fare, and* what entertainment you find with your captain, that
accordingly I may be stirred up to prayer for you, and to bless
God for his mercies towards you. I know not what further
advice to give you, than you have already received, and your
own observation, upon occasion, shall direct you. Only be
earefol to seek the Lord in the first place, and with all ear-
nestness, as he wfco is only able to keep you in all perils,
and to give you favor in the sight of those, who may be instru-
ments of your welfare ; and account it a great point of wisdom,
to keep diligent watch over yourself, that you may neither be
infected by the evil conversation of any, that you may be forced
to converse with, neither that your own speech or behavior be
any just occasion to hurt or ensnare you. Be not rash, upon
ostentation of valor, to adventure yourself to unnecessary dan-
gers ; but, if you be lawfully called, let it appear, that you
hold your life for Him, who gave it you, and will preserve it
unto the farthest period of his own holy decree. For you may
be resolved, that, while you keep in your way, all the cannons
or enemies in the world shall not be able to shorten your days
one minute. For my part, as a father, who desires your wel-
fare as mine own, I cease not daily to commend you to God,
beseeching him to preserve, prosper, and bless you, that I may
receive you again in peace, and have assurance of enjoying you
in a better life, when your course here shall be finished. Your

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 243

friends here £1 praise God) are all in health, and are daily
mindful of you. Let me hear from you so soon and oft as you
may conveniently. Remember my love and service to your good
captain. The Lord bless you ever. So I rest

" Your loving father, * John Winthrop.

"London, June 6, 1627."

How well the younger Winthrop conformed himself to
the counsel of his father, in this expedition, we have no
means of knowing ; but here is a letter of his, from the
very scene of conflict, which gives an interesting account
of what was going on. It has, unhappily, no date ; but
another of his papers, of a merely formal character, shows
that he was in the Road of St. Martin's, where the letter
was evidently written, about the end of October, 1627.

John Winthrop, Jr., to his father.

" To the worp 11 John Winthrop Esq. at his house in Groton.

w Sir, — My humble duty remembred to your selfe with my
mother & Grand mother, with the remembrance of my love to
my brothers, & sister, & the rest of my freinds. I wrote unto
you the last opportunity which I found by two severall messen-
gers, whether they came to your hands I know not : but yet I
dought not but you have had so full Intelligence of our proceed-
ings till y* tyme that it should be needlesse to write any thing
thereof: As touching our affaires now you shall understand
now thereof: Our army lieth still the most part at St. Martins ;
Some few garrisons in other parts of the Hand. The Cittadel is
now Intrenched round. Our trenches come in some places
within a stones quoite of the enemies, the centinels on both sides
continually playing with their small shotte, watching as nar-
rowly as the fouler after a bird how they may come at a shotte,
the great Ordinance cm both sides shoote not so often as they
did at first : every day there come some running out of the

244 LITE AND LETTERS

Castle who bring divers & uncerteine reports what they thinke
of the tyme it can hold out, but it is thought they had yielded
it up by this tyme had it not beene for 3 or 4 boats which in a
darke & foule night stole over undiscovered of the ships, but tis
thought they could not furnish them with much victuals, & if
that be spent there is such order taken that they shall very
hardly get any more, for besides the ships which lie there close
together, & our boats scouting out all night, they have made
a boome with masts chained together which lieth crosse that
place where they should go in, so that they must needs be foule
eyther of the ships or that. Those boats which gatt over were
garded by two Dutchmen who riding among our ships had taken
notice of the order of our fleet & the likeliest place they might
come by them without discovery ; they are now taken and to be
executed. We tooke the other night two boats which were
going to the Castle with victualls, some other there were which
escaped backe againe. We have now arrived 2400 soldiers out
of Irland & doe expect a supplye of ships & men out of Eng-
land. When they be come I hope we shall not stay here long
after. I thinke soone after Michaelmas we shall be at home.
The Kin** of France hath had an armv about Rochell ever since
our coniing, they are reported to be 12000 men, but the towne
and they were upon good tearmes till the 30 th of August, & then
they began to fall out with some store of great shott on both
sides, but they feare not the kings forces so long as our fleet
keepe the sea open to them. When I had well veiwed the
towne I marveiled not that it holds out so long seige, for I think
it almost Impossible to take it by force if they be not shutt up
at sea as well as by land. It is a very deare place for stran-
gers, & St. Martins is dearer by reason of our army, and that
all we have brought in commeth from Rochell. I am (I thanke
God) hitherto in good helth and our ship hath bene generally
helthfull : thus my duty againe remembered, & desiring your
dayly prayer & blessings I comend you to Gods protection and
rest " Your obedient sonnc

"John Winthrop,

OF JOHN WJLNTHKOP. 245

w I pray remember my love to my uncle Gostlin & aunt with
M r Lee & the rest of our freinds." 1

An original account of this Expedition by Lord Her-
bert of Cherbury has recently been published in Eng-
land, edited by Lord Powis, and dedicated to the
Philobiblon Society, in which it is said that the Duke
of Buckingham had " a navy of an hundred sayle, where-
of tenn were royal, the rest merchants' ships." 2 But
we need hardly remind our readers that it proved a dis-
astrous failure, and was completely broken up before the
year was at an end.

The ejder Winthrop had doubtless gone down to Lon-
don to attend upon the courts, and pursue his professional
practice, in November, 1627, when the two following let-
ters from his wife were written. She had given birth to
another son a few months before ; and we find the child al-
luded to by name in the first of the letters. How prettily
and piously she tells her husband, in the second, " I have
many reasons to make me love thee, whereof I will name
two : First, because thou lovest God ; and, secondly, be-
cause that thou lovest me " ! We find no letters from her
husband which seem to correspond to this precise date.

1 This little certificate, in the hand of John Winthrop, jun., is only important as fix-
ing the date of the foregoing letter: —

" To the Right WorU Sr Sackfeild Crow Treasurer.
u Whereas Robert Atkins was removed out of the Seahorse into his Maj*" Shippe
the Repulse at Portsmouth June 26. 1627 these are therefore to Certify that the s* Robert
Atkins continued in the s* Shippe of his Ma* in the Roade of S 1 Martins till the 26 day
of October the yeare aboue written and then falling sicke was discharged.

"J. Bbot.
"The Road or St. Maktuts Octob: 27. 1627."

* The Expedition to the Isle of Rh<*, by Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury, K.B.
London, Whittingham and Wilkins, 1660.

246 LIFE AND LETTERS

Margaret Winthrop to her husband.

"Most dear and loving Husband, — I cannot express
my love to you, as I desire, in these poor, lifeless lines ; but I
do heartily wish you did see my heart, how true and faithful it
is to you*, and how much I do desire to be always with you, to
enjoy the sweet comfort of your presence, and those helps from
you in spiritual and temporal duties, which I am so unfit to per-
form without you. It makes me to see the want of you, and
wish myself with you. But I desire we may be guided by God
in all our ways, who is able to direct us for the best ; and so I
will wait upon him with patience, who is all-sufficient for me.
I shall not need to write much to you at this time. My brother
Gostling can tell you any thing by word of mouth, I praise
God, we are all here in health, as you left us, and are glad to
hear the same of you and all the rest of our friends at London.
My mother and myself remember our best love to you, and all
the rest. Our children remember their duty to you. And thus,
desiring to be remembered in your prayers, I bid my good hus-
band good night. Little Samuel l thinks it is time for me to go
to bed ; and so I beseech the Lord to keep you in safety, and
us all here. Farewell, my sweet husband.

" Your obedient wife, "Margaret Winthrop."

Margaret Winthrop to her husband.

"My most sweet Husband, — How dearly welcome thy
kind letter was to me, I am not able to express. The sweetness
of it did much refresh me. What can be more pleasing to a
wife, than to hear of the welfare of her best beloved, and how
he is pleased with her poor endeavors ! I blush to hear myself
commended, knowing my own wants. But it is your love that
conceives the best, and makes all things seem better than they
are. I wish that I may be always pleasing to thee, and that

1 Samuel was baptized Aug. 26, 1627.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 247

those comforts we have in each other may be daily increased, as
far as they be pleasing to God. I will use that speech to thee,
that Abigail did to David, I will be a servant to wash the feet
of my lord. I will do any service wherein I may please my
good husband. I confess I cannot do enough for thee ; but
thou art pleased to accept the will for the deed, and rest con-
tented.

w I have many reasons to make me love thee, whereof I will
name two : First, because thou loves t God ; and, secondly,
because that thou lovest me. If these two were wanting, all
the rest would be eclipsed. But I must leave this discourse,
and go about my household affairs. I am a bad housewife to
be so long from them ; but I must needs borrow a little time
to talk with thee, my sweet heart. The term is more than half
done. I hope thy business draws to an end. It will be but
two or three weeks before I see thee, though they be long ones.
God will bring us together in his good time ; for which time I
shall pray. I thank the Lord, we are all in health. We are
very glad to hear so good news of our son Henry. 1 The Lord
make us thankful for all his mercies to us and ours. And thus,
with my mother's and my own best love to yourself and all the
rest, I shall leave scribbling. The weather being cold, makes
me make haste. Farewell, my good husband : the Lord keep
thee. w Your obedient wife, Margaret Winthrop.

"Groton, November 22. .

w I have not yet received the box ; but I will send for it. I
send up a turkey and some cheese. I pray send my son Forth
such a knife as mine is. Mrs. Hugen would pray you to buy a
cake for the boys.

w I did dine at Groton Hall yesterday ; they are in health,
and remember their love. We did wish you there, but that
would not bring you, and I could not be merry without thee.

1 The first and best news from Henry, who had sailed for the West Indies, came in
* letter from him, dated " from the Berbethes in the West Indyes, this 22 of August,
1627."

248 LIFE AND LETTERS

Mr. Lee and his wife were there ; they remember their love.
Our neighbor Cole and goodman Newton have been sick, but
somewhat amended again. I fear thy cheese will not prove 60
good as thou didst expect. I have sent it all, for we could not
cut it."

The younger Winthrop was again in London not long
after his return from the Isle of Bhe ; and then we find
four more of his father's letters addressed to him. They
show, that, at this date, the father was proposing to re-
move to London, for the more convenient practice of his
profession ; and one of them contains directions for the
commencement of a suit in which he was engaged as
counsel. The minute directions contained in the second
letter of the series, for procuring a supply of tobacco,
seem to prove that some of the Puritan families did not
wait until they came over to the New World before yield-
ing to the fascinations of the Virginia weed. A decided
taste for it must certainly have prevailed at Groton Manor.
It will be seen, however (in another chapter), that Win-
throp renounced the use of it not long afterwards, at
least for a time. The fourth letter indicates that the
younger Winthrop was contemplating a voyage with
" a religious company," and with some view of settling in a
new plantation. This was undoubtedly a voyage to New
England; and John Winthrop, jun., was contemplating
the idea of embarking with Endicott, who sailed for New
England in the " Abigail," on the twentieth day of June,
1G28. The elder Winthrop "was loath," it seems, that
his son " should think of settling there as yet ; " but he
suggests that it is best " to be going and coming awhile,
and afterward to do as God shall offer occasion." Evi-

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 249

dently, the idea that New England was to be the perma-
nent abode of himself and his family had not dawned

upon him.

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my lovinge sonne John Winthrop at the three fawnes in the Olde
Baylye, London.

w Sonne John, •. — I prayse God we came home well on
thursdaye at night & this daye I was at the Choyce of o r knights
at Ipswich ; what o r successe was you may knowe by my lettre
to either of yo r unckles, as likewise for other affaires. I pur-
pose now to send you up the rest of the writings, w** Mr. ffea-
therston may make use of, as he shall think fitt : I would be
lothe to come up before the terme except there be necessitye :
yet I thincke to be there about a weeke before, because my horse
must be at Houndsloe heathe the 23 of Aprill, & likewise to
take order about my removall, w ch I am now (in a maner) re-
solved of, if God shall dispose for us accordingly : for my
charge heere grows verye heavye, & I am weary e of these io r -
nies to & fro, so as I will either remove or putt off my office.
I would have you enquire about for a house at Tower hill or
some suche open place, or if I cant be provided so neere, I will
make tryall of Thistleworthe : I would be neere churche & some
good schoole. If you can finde how to sende to yo r brother
Hen : let me knowe that I may provide shoes &c : for him, &
for other things I will leave them to yo r care. We are all in
good healthe (I prayse God). Deane hathe had the smale
poxe, but laye not by it, & Sam : was verye sick & in great
danger, but God hathe delivered him. Yo r grandmother &
mother salute & blesse you : the Lorde blesse, guide, & prosper
you in all yo r waves, that you may feare him & cleave to him,
& so consecrate yo r life & you the to his service, as yo r life may
be of use for his glory e & the good of others, farewell.

" Yo r lovinge father " Jo : Winthrop.

ff Remember me verye kindly to Capt. Best & his wife, to
Capt. Downinge & the rest of that family e (when you see

32

250 LITE AND LETTERS

them.) Comende me to M r . ffeatherston & desire him to pre-
pare his assurance by a weeke before the terme, if he thinke
good, & if yo r host shall require it ; otherwise at the beginninge
of the terme.

w Looke out amonge the bookesellers in Duck lane, & if you
can finde an English bible in 4 to for 7 or 8 8 : buye it & sende it
downe ; & remember the stockfishe.

"Feb: 25. 1627."

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my loviog Son, John Winthrop, at the House of Mr. Downing,
near the Conduit, in Fleet Street, London.

w Loving Son, — I received your letter, and I bless God
for your welfare, begging of him daily, that your soul may pros-
per as your body doth ; and if this care be in your heart, (as I
hope it is,) you shall do well, for this rule God hath set us to
walk by, — first to seek the kingdom of heaven, then will he see
to us for other things. So as I dare avouch it as infallible truth,
that he who doth otherwise takes a preposterous course to hap-
piness, and shall not prosper. Should not a man trust his
Maker, and rest upon the counsel of liis Father, before all other
things? Should not the promise of the holy Lord, the God of
truth, be believed above all carnal, false fears and shallow ways
of human wisdom ? It is just with God to harden men's hearts
in their distrust of his faithfulness, because they dare not rely
upon him. But such as will roll their ways upon the Lord, do
find him always as good as his word. I bless his name, we all
continue in health, and this day I expect your brother from
Cambridge. I wish you could meet with some safe means to
send to your brother Henry. I have found two sturdy youths,
that would go to him. If Capt. Powell return not soon, I shall
fear he hath miscarried, and then shall we see God's providence,
that your brother returned not with him.

ff I cannot come up till the week after Easter ; but you may
know Mr. Feathers tone's resolution in the mean time. I pray,
inquire how things go in the parliament, and write to me of

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 251

them ; but things which are doubtful, let pass. If the commis-
sion for the navy be dissolved, what employment hath your cap-
tain then ? for it seems he was lately put into* it. When you
see him or her, commend me kindly to them.

w We want a little tobacco. I had very good, for seven shil-
lings a pound, at a grocer's, by Holburn Bridge. There be two
shops together. It was at that which is farthest from the bridge,
towards the Conduit. If you tell him, it is for him that bought
half a pound of Verina and a pound of Virginia of him last
term, he will use you well. Send me half a pound of Virginia. I
would gladly hear of a chamber in the Temple, or in some other
convenient place ; for that I have is much too dear.

w I have many letters to write : therefore I end ; and, with
my love and blessing to you, I commend you to the protection
and good government of the Lord, and rest

n Your loving father, w Jo. Winthrop.

"March 18, 1627.

" I think to send my brother Downing a greyhound."

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my very loviog Son, John Winthrop, London.

w Son John, — I received your letter and the books you sent,

for which I do thank you. I bless God for the continuance of

your health and welfare, which, through his mercy, we all here

also enjoy ; only myself have a sore hand, which makes me that

I cannot write. 1 For the note, which you mentioned in your

letter, I received it not. I desire to hear from you concerning

Mr. Featherstone's resolution, and whether you have inquired

out a chamber for me, or else to take order, that I may have

that I had before. I pray send me down six of Mr. Egerton's

cattle. For the stuff for the gowns, you may buy it of some

olive color, or such like. Either let there be several colors,

or else the velvet for the capes of several colors. Remember us

Jl to your uncles and aunts and the rest of our friends. Pray

1 This letter is in the handwriting of Forth Winthrop.

252 LIFE AND LETTERS

your uncle Downing to send me an answer of my last week's
letter, and thank your aunt Downing for her kind letter and
oranges, and excuse my not writing to them all, for my hand is
so as I am not able. Your grandmother and mother salute and
bless you. So, with my love and blessing to you, I commend
you to the protection, direction, and good providence of our
heavenly Father, and rest

"Your loving father, "John Wixthrop.

"Mabch 31, 1628." »

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To his loving Son, Mr. John Winthrop, at Mr. Fones's House in the
Old Bailey, London.

w Son John, — I received your letter, with the things you
sent. I do praise God for the continuance of your health and
welfare. For myself, my hand is so ill as I know not when I
shall be able to travel. It hath pleased God to make it a sharp
affliction to me. I hope he will dispose it for my good, and,
in his due time, send me deliverance. For your journey intend-
ed, seeing you have a resolution to go to sea, I know not
where you should go with such religious company, and under
such hope of blessing ; only I am loath you should think of
settling there as yet, but to be going and coming awhile and
afterward to do as God shall offer occasion. You may adven-
ture somewhat in the plantation at the present, and hereafter
more, as God shall give enlargement. If Mr. Feathers tone
will not deal, I will look no further; but your uncle Fones
shall have it, and the odd £50 may be for your occasions.
Commend me heartily to all your uncles and aunts. Desire
them to be mindful of me in their prayers. Thank your aunt
Downing for her kind letter. Tell her I see she now means
to work upon the advantage in setting me upon the score for
letters when I want my hand to free myself. Put your uncle

1 It will be remembered, that, according to Old Style, March 31, 1G2S, would be only
thirteen days after March 18, 1627, — the date of the preceding letter.

OF JOHN WTNTHBOP. 253

Downing in mind again of my chamber, and tell him^ that this
day my brother Gostling and another shall go about the busi-
ness he did write of. Tell him also, that Peter Alston is dead.
Commend me to Edward, and desire him to get me out a privy
seal against John Carver, clerk, and Eliza his wife,. at the suit
of Mr. Attorney, on the behalf of Thomas Foule. In the
business concerning your voyage, I pray be advised by your
uncle and other your worthy friends, who are experienced in
these affairs ; but, above all, seek direction and blessing from
God. And so, being forced to use another's pen, 1 so as I am
not at that freedom to write as I would, I end ; and, with your
grandmother's and mother's salutation and blessing unto you, I
commend you to the gracious providence, direction, and rich
blessing of the Almighty. Farewell.

"Your loving father, w John Winthrop.

"April 7, 1628.

"As soon as I am able to stir about the house, I will look
out those geometrical instruments and books, 9 and send them
unto you, and any thing else that you will write for."

Winthrop's allusion to Thisleworth, in the first of the
four letters just given (dated Feb. 25, 1627), proves that
the following letter of his wife, in which she discusses the
proposed removal, belongs to the history of that win-
ter. Thistleworth, now well known as Isleworth, is a
parish in Middlesex County, on the Thames, nearly op-
posite to Richmond. Margaret's grave apprehensions,
that, if her husband resided there while engaged in pro-
fessional business in London, the passage down the river
might be dangerous and " the waters perilous," are a little

1 This letter, also, is in the handwriting of Forth Winthrop.

* A copy of the Conic Sections of Apollonius Pergaeus, the Great Geometer (Venice,
1687), which belonged to John Winthrop, jun., is in my possession, containing his
autograph annotations.

254 LITE AND LETTERS

amusing in these days. There was cause enough for
them, we doubt not, when her letter was written.

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

" To my deare and very loviDge Husband John Winthrope Esquire at
Mr. Downings house in Fleet Street right over agaynst the Coun-
duit these deliver — London.

"My beloved and good Husband, — I must craue par-
don for my not righting to you the last weeke. Your letter
came so late to my hands upon Tuesday that I coulde not
right that night, and hearinge of no other mesenger I have bin
con8trayned to let it alone till this weeke, and so have had the
more time to consider of it. I doe ioyne with you in beseech-
inge the Lorde to direct our waves and thoughts aright hearein,
and that wee may submit unto his holy will in this and all other
thinges, to doe that may be for his glory and the comfort of
ourselues and others. I doe see yours and the rest of my
frends great love and care of me and of all ours, in that you
are so mindfull of our good, w ch doeth more and more knet my
affections to you. I pray God I may walkc so as I may be
worthy of all your loves. For the matter of which you right
about, of takeinge a house at Thiscl worth, I like well in some
respect, in regard of the good Minister and good people and
teachinge for our children. But I must aledge one thinge, that
I feare in your cominge to and fro, lest if you should be ventrus
upon the water, if your passage be by water w ch I know not, it
may be dangerous for you in the winter time, the wether beinge
colde and the waters perilous. And so I shoulde be in conti-
nuall feare of you lest you should take any hurt. I did confir
with my mother about it and she thinkes you had better take
a house in the City, and so come home to your own table and
familye ; and I am of the same minde, but I shall all waves
submit to what you shal thinke fit. Upon the best considera-
tion I can take, I have resolved to stay heare this winter, in
regard that my littel one is very yonge and the wayes very bad

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 255

to remove such things as Wee shall stande in nede of, and we
shal leave things very unsetled, and to keepe two famylies will
be very chargable to us. And so I thinke it will be our best
corce to remove in the springe, and in the meane time commend
it to God. It is allredy reported about the countrye that we
shal remove and so it will be the lesse strange to them, because
they loke for it all ready, and you are to be so much from
home.

" I have received y° r kinde letter by my brother Goslinge for
w ch I hartily thanke you and for my good sermon y^ h you sent
with it. You doe dayly many feast y° r love to me and care for
my spirituall good, as well as temperall, w** is best of all. I
desire of God I may chuse the better part w ch cannot be taken
from me, w ch will stand me in stead when all other things fayle
nie. For our condishion here wee have yet M r Leys helpe in
our famylye, but he is to remove very spedily, his house beinge
all-most finished, and then we shall want helpe for good exer-
cises. The Lord in mercy upholde us and strenkthen us by his
holy spirit. I cannot but with greefe beare y° r longe abcence,
but I hope that this will be the last time we shall be so long
asunder, w ch doeth sumwhat stay and comfort me. The Lord
grant I may find sweetnesse in Christ Jesus my spirituall Hus-
band, who is alwayes with me and never fayleth me in time of
neede, nor will fayle me unto the end of my life or the life to
come. My good mother commends hir love to you all and
thankes you for hir tobacko. She would pray you to be care-
full of y° r selfe that you take no colde. I desire to have my
love very kindely remembred to my brother Downinge and sis-
ter, my brother Foones and sister, and all my cosine. I prayse
God we continue stil in helth : our children at home remember
thear duty to you. I thinke very longe to heare of our sonnes
at sea. I pray God send us good nuse of them. And thus
with my best affection remembred to my deare Husband I take
my leave and commit you to God.

w Your faythfull and obedient wife

" Margaret Winthrope.

256 LIFE AND LETTER8

w I have sent you a payr of shoes. My mother would know
if she should send up a cupple of geese ; thay be resonable
good ones. I sent the letter to Mr. Weneiye, but he was not
at home. There came one for money for Thomas Arkesden.
Grandmother and I payed it. I have payed Sug. and Peyer
Haksel, my brother Foones tenant, hath payed 25* and woulde
know who shoulde apoynt him out his logs to burne this win-
ter, and he sayth that you have a bil of charges that he layed
out ; he woulde pray you to put my brother in minde of it.
My brother Goslinge will send up the money as soone as he
doth heare of a safe mesenger."

The elder Winthrop, in his two last given letters,
refers to a serious injury which had happened to one of
his hands. His devoted son seems to have sought at
once for some prescription to relieve him ; and the fol-
lowing letter will tell with what success. It seems that
" old women's nostrums " were not unknown to London
in those days. His father replies by writing a long letter
with his left hand ; and we will do him the justice to
say, that it is quite as legible as many of those written
with his right. The son rejoins in a letter containing
many interesting items of political information ; and
then we are able to conclude the series with one of
Margaret's sweet letters, in which she tells him most
tenderly, " I will not looke for any long letters this
terme, because I pitty y° r poore hande : if I had it heere
I would make more of it than ever I did, & bynde it up
very softly for fear of hurting it." No doubt this would
have been the most welcome surgery he could have
enjoyed.

OP JOHN WDTTHBOP. 257

John Winthrop, jun,, to his Father.
u To the wor 11 his very loving father John Winthrop Esq. — in Groton.

" Sib, — My duty remembered unto you, I am very sorry to
heare that your hand continueth so ill, but I hope, by God's
providence, you shall finde helpe by those thinges I have sent
you, which I receyved from a woman that is very skilfull, &
much sought unto for these thinges. She is sister to Mr.
Waterhouse the linnen draper in Cheape side, by whose meanes,

1 was brought to her. She told me, if you were at London she
made noe doubt but to cure it quicly, but because you cannot
come up she therefore gave me these plaisters to send to you,
& said that if it were not gangreened she would warrant them
by Gods helpe to doe you present good. The use of them is as
followeth : Take the yellow plaister, as much as will cover
your sore finger all over to the next joynt below the sore, & on
the rest of your finger whereon this plaister doth not lye, lay
as much of the blacke plaister as will cover it all over, this
must be done twice a day, morning & evening, till it beginneth
to grow well, & then once a day. The other blacke plaister
you must lay all over your hand, & that you must shift once in

2 or 3 dayes. You must not wash it, nor lay any other thing
to it. This will draw out the thorne, if any be in, & heale it
both. She will take nothing for it, & therefore I doe the
rather credit hir, for she doth it only for freinds, &c. I pray
you therefore use it, & leave of any other course of surgery. I
wish you were here at London where she might dresse it her
selfe. For newes I cannot write so good as the last; this
bearer will fully satisfye you of all proceedings, which every
day alter & change, sometime like to be good, by & by crosse
againe.

w For my voyage to new England I doe not resolve (espe-
cially following my uncle Downings advice) except I misse of
the Straights, but I will stay till you have sold the land though
I misse of both : thus with my duty remembered againe to your

33

258 LIFE AND LETTERS

selfe, with my grandmother & mother, & my love to my bro-
thers & sisters & the rest of our freinds, I commend you to
Gods protection & rest

"Your Obedient Son ff John Winthrop.

"London: April 11 1628.

"My uncle ffones hath paid 10 lb to my aunt Branch, 1 he
wondered he had no order from you.

" We are all well (God be thanked) they all commend their
love to you. You need not send the Instruments."

John Winthrop to his Son.

"My good sonne, — As I have alwayes observed your
lovinge & dutyfull respects towards me, so must I needs allso
now, in that sence which you have of my affliction, & that
care & paynes you have taken to procure my ease ; vr** 1 besides
the confirminge of my fatherly affection towards you, wilbe
layd by in store w* the righteous Lorde, for length of dayes &
blessings upon you in tyme to come. I prayse God my finger
is well amended, my Surgeon did his parte well, & stayde the
gangreene & tookc out the mortified fleshe, but because your
love & peines should not be loste, I have betaken my selfc
wholly to your plaister, w ch the Surgeon likes well enough of;
& I prayse God it goeth well forward. I hope, if God will,
to be at London w th in this fortnight. I pray make sure of
some Chamber for me, & if you can, gett M r ffeatherstons
resolution, for I will make no new bargaines w th him ; if he
refuse, speake with your uncle ffones about it, & if he will deale
with it, let the writinges be gotten readye ag* I come up, that
you may gett readye for yo r voyage, which yet you shall not
need to lose for any stay about tliis. I am verve glad that
your Capt. hath recovered his hand, when you see him com-
mend me kindly to him & to Mrs. Best & likewise to Doctor

1 This is one of the payments to which the elder Winthrop referred when he spoke
of " 10 ,b for my A. B ," and which lias formed the subject of a footnote on page 213.
We know not who this Aunt Branch was.

OF JOHN WJWTHKOP. 259

Burgesse & his sonne. My yellow plaister wilbe spent this
week, but of the blacke I have more than I shall use. My
naile is almost shotte of, I feare; the short bone under my
nayle is putrified, but my finger will not be the shorter for the
losse of that bone. We are all in good health I prayse God,
your grandmother & mother salute & blesse you. I wish you
would finde out Sir Nath : Barnardiston, & remember my ser-
vice to him, & tell him though I could not write to him, I have
sent to know how he doth & his Ladye. Thus beseeching our
heavenly Father throughe our Lord Jesus Christ, to blesse,
guide, & prosper you in all yo r wayes, & so to reveale to your
soule the glorious riches of Christ & the sweet pleasures of his
grace, as being filled & satisfied therewith you may desire no
other happinesse, I ende & rest allwayes

w Yo r lovinge father "Jo: Winthrop.

"Aranx 15 1628.

" (This was written with his left hand when his finger of his other hand was sore
as mentioned in the letter). 1

* This trouble of my hand hath so hindered me in the dis-
posinge of my affaires as I must be forced to come downe next
vacation, so as it wilbe midsomer ere your mother, etc. can
come up."

John Winthrop, jun. 9 to his Father.

u To the wor 11 his very loving father John Winthrop Esq. in Groton.

"Sib, — I receyved your letters, my selfe & all our freinds
heere much rejoycing to hear from you so good newes of your
hand, whereof your former letters put us in noe small feare.
I have sent you some more plaister 8. I told the gentlewoman
of the bone which you feared was putrified ; she saith that her
plaister will draw it out, if it be, & heale it both without any
other thing. I hope you' wilbe at London before you . shall
need any more. The gentleman that my uncle dealt with
about the Chamber is not yet come to towne, but I have

* The passage in parenthesis is in the hand of John Winthrop, jun.

260 LIFE AND LETTERS

inquired where your former Chamber was ; it is already lett
out, but you may have a lessei in the same house & cheap.
My uncle Downing & aunt commend them to you ; he came
home late last night from Nelmes, & went this morning to the
M r & therefore desireth to be excused for not wrighting, but
sends you this newes — that Mr. Noy hath lately had a triall in
the West Countrie at the Assises against the Constables for
Cessing of his tenants for the billeting of soldiers, (who for
that refused to pay their rents complaining that by reason of
those taxes they were not able) , & hath recovered against the
Constables. My aunt sayth she would write but that she
pitieth you that you should write so many letters with your left
hand, therefore she will not this weeke provoke you to it by
hers. On Munday last the lower house made a speech to the
King in the Banquetting house and spake very freely to him
about the greivances of the subject. This day & tomorrow
are daies of great expectation what conclusion wilbe betweene
them, which^is hoped to bee well & that there wilbe good
Agreement, which God in mercy grant. Thus with my duty
remembered to your selfe, my mother & grand mother, with my
love to my brothers and sister, & the rest of our freinds, I
commend you to Gods protection & rest

"Your Obedient Sonne "John Winthrop.

"Lond: Aprill 18: 1628.

" My uncle Fones & aunt commend them to you.

ff I pray remember my love to my uncle Gostlin & aunt &c.

tf The privy seale is in the box &c."

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

"LOVTNGE AND MOST DEARE HUSBAND, Now in this

solytary and uncomfortable time of your longe absence, I have
no other meanes to shew my love but in theese poore fruts of
my pen, with w ch I am not able to expresse my love as I desire,
but I shall endeavor allwaies to make my duty knowne to yon
in some measure though not answearable to your deserts and

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 261

love. Although it pleseth God to part us for a time, I hope
he will bringe us together againe and so provide that we may
not be often asunder, if it may be for our good and his glory ;
and now I thinke longe to heare of thee and of your safe
cominge to London. I will not looke for any longe letters this
terme because I pitty y or poore hande ; if I had it heere I would
make more of it than ever I did, and bynde it up very softly
for fear of hurting it. But I doubt not but you have better
helps. I thanke God we are all heare in health, onely little
Sam, who hath bin very sick, but I hope he will doe well
againne. I am glad I did not weane him for he will now take
nothing but the brest. Thus it pleaseth the Lord to exercise
us with one affliction after another in love; lest we should
forget our selves and love this world too much, and not set our
affections on heaven wheare all true happyness is for ever. I
thinke to right to thee the latter end of this weeke by M r
Brand, and so I will now rite the lesse. I receved a letter
from my sonne John, I pray tel him I thanke him hartyly for
it and will take some other time to rite to him though I cannot
now. Joseph Cole is come home, & thus with my mothers
and my owne best love to you and the rest of our frends, I
commit you to the Lord and rest

"Your Obedient Wife "Mabgaret Wintheop.

"May 1, 1628.

n I did receave a speach of S r John Elliott w * I thinke M r
Borros sent you, so I have not sent it up, thinkinge you may
meet with the same at London. Forth and Mary and the rest
of our children remember theare duty to you, and theare love to
theare brother John and all thear cosine."

This last letter was, of course, addressed to the elder
Winthrop, at London; whither he had gone again to
attend the Easter Term of Court. The speech of Sir
John Eliot, alluded to in the postscript, was undoubtedly

one those fearless utterances against the tyrannical
easi s of the Crown, on account of which he had

i luffered confinement in the Gatehouse, and which
long afterwards cost that noble patriot an imprison-

nt in the Tower, from which he was released only hy

*th.

An additional illustration of Wintbrop's character and
habits, at the period included in the chapter which we
now close, is furnished by a little autograph volume,
found among his papers, in which all the sermons which
he heard on Sundays and on prayer-days* during a large
part of the years 1627 and 1628, are noted, with the
names of the preachers, the texts of their discourses, and
the various heads and arguments carefully written out,
These notes are often so copious, that it would not be
difficult to write out whole sermons, of at least the ordi-
nary length of modern times, from the briefs which this
little volume supplies.

OF JOHN WINTHEOP. 263

CHAPTER XIV.

THE ORIENTAL TOUR OF JOHN WINTHROP, JUN. CORRESPOND-
ENCE BETWEEN HIM AND HIS FATHER, 1628-9.

The younger Winthrop, having abandoned the idea of
accompanying Endicott to New England, appears to
have departed soon afterwards on an extended European
and Oriental tour. He was absent from England for
more than fourteen months. Three of them he spent
at Constantinople, and at least two at Venice and Padua.
There were but few facilities for land travel in those
days ; and his visits seem to have been confined, for the
most part, to places which could be reached by water.
He took passage on board the ship " London," Capt.
Maplesden, which sailed on the 17th or 18th of June,
1628. We hear of him first at Leghorn, in the follow-
ing letter to his father ; to which we append the father's
reply : —

John Winthrop, jun., to his Father.

u To the worp n John Winthrop Esq. at Groton in Suffolke.

"Ligorne, July 14: 1628.
w Sir, — I am forced for the more convenient passage of my
letters in a merchants paquet to be more breife then otherwise
I should, but I hope hereby they will come to your hands safe

264 LIFE AND LETTERS

& with more speed ; which, if they were by them selves, would
lye long before they could come to you. You shall hereby
understand, that we arrived safely (God be thanked for it) at
this port the 7 of this month, being but 20 daies since we left
sight of the lands end of England and 26 since *our departure
out of the Downes. We had (I thanke God) both health &
faire weather all the way, and are now arrived in a very plesant
& temperate Countrie. We spake not with any ships since we
lost sight of England save only one English man of Warr upon
the coast of Spaine : once we mette 25 saile, but they sprung
their luffe & would not speake with us. This place affordeth
little newes, at this tyme ; from Genoa there is newes that there
is free trade granted as is at this towne, & from Marseiles that
the Duke de Guise is come to sea with 4 gallioones & 12 sailes
of gallies, it is supposed to meete with Sir Chillam Digby, 1
who hath taken 3 or 4 frenchmen, hath beene at Algiers, &
redeemed some 20 or 30 Christian slaves, hath man'd his prizes,
& is gone againe towards the bottom. The newes of this towne
is only of some 200 turkes that the Dukes Gallies have taken
and are now heere making ready to set forth againe. Heere is
an order from the Duke that no prizes shalbe brought into this
port. I find this place very chargeable, & could wish I had
brought no English mony with me, for it is foure shillings in
' the pound losse. Thus with my duty remembred to your selfe,
my mother & grandmother, with my love to my brothers &
sister, my uncle Gostlin & aunt, & the rest of our freinds,
desiring your praiers & blessing, I coinend you to Gods protec-
tion & rest " Your obedient Sonne

" John Winthrop.

w It wilbe yet a month or 5 weeke before we goe from hence ;
if you write to me after the receipt hereof I pray let it be to

1 Sir Kenelme Digby, with whom the younger Winthrop was afterwards on terms
of the most friendly correspondence. — See Letter of Sir K. D., Hist. Coll., vol. x.
3d ser. p. 5.

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 265

Constantinople & directed to Captaine Maplesden, or M r John
ffreeman, marchant, or some other way as you thinke it may
come safe to my hands as you shall have occasion.

rr I pray remember my service to uncle Tindall & aunt when
you see them, & to Captaine Best." !

John Winthrop to his Son.

w Sonne John, — I received from you 3 : Lettres, one from
Plimmouth & 2 from Legorne : the last dated Aug : 11 : by
w** I understande of y° r wellfare & good successe in y° r voyage,
for w** my selfe & all yo r freinds heere doe muche reioyce &
heartyly thanke the Lorde for his mercye towards you : I mer-
vaile you recieved not my lettre w ch I wrote to you in June, &
lefte it at M r Soanes to be sent to you. I wrote to Mr. Soane
also for a Lettre of Credence for you, & appointed to come to
him about it, but before I could goe, he was forthe of towne :
Yo r unckle Downing wrote to you also : I am now at Groton,
& therefore am bould w" 1 yo* unckle D : to trouble him w tt pro-
curinge you Lettres of credence for 20 lb that it may be ready
for you at yo r returne to Legorne. I suppose you have heard
before this of the D : of Buck : his deathe, 9 & such other thinges
as have fallen out heare : I cannot now write muche to you,
but when I come at London, (God willinge) I will write more
largely of suche occurrents as are certaine, & fitt to be written.
We are all in healthe as you lefte us (God be praysed). To r
grandmother & mother salute & blesse you, yo r brothers &
sister salute you : & yo r unckle Gostlin & Aunte : Now the
good Lorde who hathe pleased of % his great mercye to take care
of you from the Cradle hitherto, & hathe, in his most wise &
holy providence, disposed of you in this course of life, preserve,

* On the back, the father writes, " This Lettre came to London about the 12 of

3 The Duke of Buckingham had been assassinated by Felton, Aug. 23, 1628. Felton
was a Suffolk man, and had served under the duke as a lieutenant in the same expedi-
tion to the Isle of She* in which we have seen the younger Winthrop engaged.

34

866 UFR AND LETTEBS

blesse, & prosper you therein, so as yo r life may be improved
to his glorye, the good of the Churche, & yo r owne comfort &
salvatio, Amen. Bemember my lovinge salut n to Captaine
Maplesden : Have care of j<f healthe, especially of yo* soule
& conscience, ffarewell. w Y<? lovinge father

w Jo: Wihthbof.

"Groton. Septemb:30: 1628. beinge the 2: daye after I received yd* last
lettre."

We hear of the young traveller next in the following
letters from Constantinople, which tell their own story
sufficiently: —

John Winthrop, Jim,, to hi* Father.

"To the won 11 his very loving father John Winthrop Esq. in Groton

Sufi*.

"Constantinople Octob: 18 1828.
* Sm, — My duty remembered to your selfe, my mother &
grandmother, with my love to my brothers & sister, my uncles
& aunts & all our good freinds — may it please you to under-
stand that we arrived at Constantinople the 13 th day of Septem-
ber all in good health (God be thanked,) hoping the same of
yourselfe & all our freinds. When I came to this place I found
the gentleman to whome my letter of credit was directed to be
absent, beinge gone down to Smyrna, his returne expected now
every day, but have been furnished with monyes from his
Assignee; — the bill of exchange I shall not send till his re-
turne. I shalbe forced to take up more then willingly I would,
by reason of our going to Venice, where we are likely to stay
a good parte of the winter, & our long stay heere, & some
places we touch at in the way : What I shall pay a dollar I
know not yet, but the dollar goeth very high heere by exchange,
being worth 5 8 : 4 d : English : By the next vessell I shall God
willing write againe, & at Venice shall hope to heare from you.
If you write thither, it be best to direct it to Capt : Maplesden.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 267

The newes heere is of the Taking in of Esrom by the Grand
Seignior which was kept by a rebell ; the grand Seignior's
forces are now in seige of Bagdat, alias Babilon, which the
Persian holdeth. Heere have been lately many fires in Con-
stantinople. One burnt downe twelve thousand houses. Thus
with my duty againe remembered, desiring your prayers &
blessing, I rest "Your Obedient son

"John Winthbop.

w We shall, God willing, depart hence about a fourtnight or
3 weekes hence."

John Wintkrop, Jr., to his Father.

"To the wor" his very loving father John Winthrop Esq. in Groton

Suffolk.

" Constantinople Nov. 15. 1628.
w Sib, — May you please to understand that I wrote to you
dated Oct r 18., sent by way of Venice, giving you notice
therein of my safe arrivall at this place, w * was about the 13
of September. My stay at this place wilbe I thinke about a
fortnight longer, & then (God willing) I shall goe for Venice
with the ship in w* 11 I came out, w^ hence is thither bound.
Having no acquaintance there, nor letters of credit, I am
forced to take up the 200 dollars for w* 11 I had credit heere,
w** doth amount by Exchange at 5 8 4 d p r dollar to 53 lb 6 s 8 d .
The bills I have charged home upon my uncle Downing, it
being Mr. Soane his order in his letter to Mr. fireman : there
be three bills signed to goe by three several! occasions, the first
goeth with these letters. Sir I have not yet heard from you
since my comming out of England, but hope of your welfare,
whereof I desire you to certify me by your letters at my coming
to Venice, as also whether I shall returne by the next occasion
or stay till the London retumeth, yt*** wilbe neere a yeare
hence. So with my duty remembred to yourselfe, my mother
& grandmother, with my love to my brothers & sister, my
uncles & aunts, & all the rest of our good freinds, w * for

268 UTH ASD LETTERS

brevity I may not particularize, desiring jour praiera & bless-
ing, I humbly take my leave & rest

"Tour Obedient Son * John Winthbop.

" The Embassador from the Emperour was receyved this day
into this Citty & cometh to conclude peace.
"I am, God be thanked, in good health.*

The younger Winthrop seems to have contemplated a
visit to Jerusalem before leaving the East ; but, finding
no fit companionship or convoy, he leaves Constantinople
at the close of December, and sails for Venice. We
find among his papers a careful copy, in his own hand,
of a" Relation of the practizes of the Jesuites against
Cyrillus, Patriarch of Constantinople, & the cause of
their banishment, penned by Sir Thomas Howe, kn 4 :
English Ambassadour at Constantinople, 1627," with a
brief addition of his own, — proving what was the cha-
racter of his studies. We find, also, the rough draughts
of a few letters of his, which show what were his per-
sonal associations in Constantinople. We give two of
these letters just as they are found.

John, Winthrop, Jr., to Sir Peter Wich, Lord Ambassador at Con-
stantinople. 1

w Right Honorable, — After the exhibition of my service
to your lordship and my lady, I crave pardon, if these rude
lines presume to kiss your honor's hands. My duty and respect
to your honor urgeth me to give some testimony thereof; and

1 It has been suggested by Mr. Savage, that the younger Winthrop may have
accompanied this very celebrated minister to Constantinople as Secretary of Legation, or
Private Secretary. This idea is hardly substantiated by the facts furnished in this
chapter; but we shall see reason for thinking, that, on his way back from the East, he
was invited to join the party of the ambassador's wife, the Lady Wich, who was retum-
mg to England.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 269

your noble favors have obliged me to present this as a small
earnest of my thankfulness, and the service which I owe, and
desire to perform, whensoever your lordship shall please to
command. Here is no news worth your honor's intelligence.
We are this day setting sail from the Castles. So, wishing
your honor a happy beginning and prosperous continuance of
this new year, and many more to succeed, I humbly take my
leave, resting, etc.

" Castles of Hellespont, December 26, 1628.*

John Winthrop, Jr. , to Mr. John Freeman at Constantinople.

w Noble Sir, — We are now to set saile from the Castles
of Sestos & Abidos, & these lines waite for a prosperous gale
to clime up the streames of Hellespont, that they may anchor
in the desired port of your kind acceptance. I have in them
imbarked my love, which at their arrival shall present it selfe
to you not in the colored habit of painted words but in the
simple vest of true friendship ; w^ I shall endeavor w* my
whole power to mainteine, desiring the continuance of yours,
if the unworthiness of the obiect make you not iudge it ill
placed. When I come to Venice I shall hope to heare of your
welfare, yt*** shall allwaies be most welcome newes to me. For
your many kindnesses I shall remaine alwaies thankfull, &
shalbe ever ready to doe you any service w^ my best Endea-
vors can be able to performe. So wishing you a merry Christ-
mas & a happy nue yeare, I commend you to the Divine
protection & rest

* Your lovinge freind ready to serve you

"John Winthrop.

"from aboard the London ridinge neere the Castles of Sestos & Abidos.
Decemb : 26."

The reply of his friend Mr. Freeman to the letter last
given is not wholly without interest. It was addressed
to our young traveller at Venice, where we hear of him

next in a letter to his Uncle Downing ; and where, it
seems, he was detained a whole month in " the puiga-
tory of the Lazaretto." Then follow two other letters
to Mr. Freeman, together with a letter from a Mr.
Judah Throckmorton, who wonld seem to be- octt»
templating a voyage to New England. Ch*r tawefler
is traced next to Amsterdam by a letter written to his
father on his arrival there; and, finally, we have evi-
dence that the long tour was successfully completed in
the month of August, 1629, by another letter to his
father, dated at London, and announcing his safe arrival
there on a day of the month which is left blank. The
letters are given in their order, both as illustrating the
family history and as furnishing an authentic account of
the course of travel at that remote period.

John Freeman to John Winihrop, Jr.

" To his approved good frend Mr. Jn° : Winthrope, Gent : In Venice.

"In Constant" : 7 : ffebruary 1628.
w Mr. Winthrop, and my approved good frend, — my
last letter, bare date y e 12 of Jan 7 ; in answere to yo™ fro y*
Castles & Gallipoli ; & there inclosed sending yo u the draught
of my Statues at Chius, wishing yo u to shewe it, upp & downe,
in Ittaly as yo u went, & if any did proffer any mony for the
things themselfes, I desired yo u to advise mee, this was y*
effect of my last. Since w** tyme, wee have had no newes
of yo u : neither by letters nor reports, but ou r hope is yo°
have a good passage, & by this, are att Vennice arrived, fro
whence I may shortly, I hope, expect yo r letters, then y e w**
nothing would be more gratefull to me ; for occurrences, either,
private or publique, nothing of note, hath succeeded since yo r
departure ; if yo n had ^remained heere till nowe, yo u should
have had, a comodious passage for Jerusalem, the w * by Mr.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 271

Hamilton, y 6 Scotch gent: is imbraced, & w^in this three
Dayes, is to Departe : — his passage is on a Gaily for Cyprus,
under conduct of y 6 Basa of that place, & fro thence is recom-
ended unto certayne Greek Caloyeres * (by y 6 Patriarch) y* goe
in his Company ; a better occasione could not have happned in
seaven yeares, & then hee's like to thither just at Easter, the
tyme of all y 6 Ceremonies. Thus wishing us a happie meeting
agayne, either here or in Eng* or in both places, Comitt yo u to
Gods Divine protection restinge

w Yo r true frend & true scr* to Comand

"John Fbeman.
W I pray p'sent my service unto M r Price, M r Throckm r ton,
Mr. Mildmay &c."

John Winthrop, Jr. , to Emanuel Downing.
" To the Wop 11 Emanuell Downing.

"Marth 9: 1629. db Venetia.
"Worthy S r , — May you please to understand that I am
now arrived in Venice ; the day of o r arrivall was the last of
Jan y , having beene from Constantinople about 6 weekes. I
should have wrote to you long since, but coming from a place
where the plaugue was very great, we could not be admitted to
come into this citty, till we had spent all february as prisoners
in their Lazaretto (a place a great way distant from the Cytty
appointed to such purposes) till it was apparent that we were
cleere from all infection : so that not knowing any by whom I
might have my letters conveied, I could not write till my coming
into the Citty. My charges there were excessive ; I find them
little lesse since my coming into the Citty, so that I shall have
skarce to beare my charges hence, but may have credite heer
for more when I want : It may be thought I am a very ill hus-
band, but none can beleeve the charges in these Countries but
he that hath exp d them. The exchange also maketh them the
deeper, paying neere 6 for 4 & would be more if I should take

i Monks of the Greek Church. — Worcester'* Dictionary.

272 LIFE AND I^ETTERS

up any heere. This maketh me desirous to hasten into Eng-
land ; by sea I find no occasion, by land I might have a good
oportunity w* the Lady Wake, w° h I heare would be very
chargeable. I deffer to resolve till I have receyved letters
from Legorne w 01 1 heare are theare for me, w ch I gladly expect
dayly, hoping to heare from you & my other good freinds of
your welfares, w 011 since my departure from England I have
had noe notice of. Heare is little newes of Importance, saving
of the French King's coming into Italy, w° h is thought heare
cannot but bring forth some notable effect ; he hath allready
made peace between Mantoa & Savoi, & it is thought entendeth
to goe ag* Genoa. Thus w th the remembrance of my duty &
love to your selfe & my aunt, w^ my salutations to my cozens
and freinds, I comend you to Gods protection & rest

w Your loving Cosen to command " John Winthrop."

John Winthrop, Jr., to John Freeman.

"Venice, Martii 28 Stilo novo. 1629.
"Mb. Freman & my approved Good freind, — I wrote
unto you bearing date the 13 of March, stil: nov : being then
newly come out of the Lazaretto, where noe man coming at
us, nor knowing noe man to send my letters to be conveied, I
deferred writing to you till my liberty gave me better occasion.
I advised you of o r arrivall heere the 9 of feb : after 6 weeks at
sea, having touched at Zante by the way & some other ports.
Yesterday I receyved yours of the 7 of feb : then w ch nothing
could have beene more welcome, being very glad to understand
of your welfare. Therein I understand of another from you of
the 12 of January, w th the draught of your Statues inclosed,
w* h never came to my hands, w ch had I met w th all I would have
used much diligence therein, espetially in Venice, Padoa & those
Citties heereabout, where only I have spent my tyme, since I
came hither. — Further into Italy I think I shall not goe, nor
stay heere long, but thereof I shall not be resolved till the next
weeke. The Lady Wake being to depart very shortly for
England, & much good Copany going along, I doubt I shalbe

OP JOHN WTNTHROP. 273

drawne that way, but thereof I shall further advise you when
I know more certainly. I found Mr. Prise in Padoa to whome I
delivered your letter, who was very glad to heare & receive a
letter from so good a friend. He spoke to me of the great
friendship between yourself & him. Mr. Petty is also at
Padoa but I have not scene him ; he staieth to passe w* my
Lady into England. I hear that there is a booke got out of
some of the inscriptions of his antiquities by Mr. Selden in
England, w^out his knowledge. The cheife newes heere is
of the ffrench king, who since his coming into Italy hath taken
the Spanish Generall prisoner, succored the casell a castle
neare Matua beseiged by the Spaniard, made a peace betwixt
Savoi & Mantoa, is now in Savoi, & is thought will goe
ag* Genoa : he filleth world w* great expectations of his actions
what the event of them may be. He hath had the Cytty of
Orange delivered up to him by the treachery of the Governour '
selling it into his hands for a great summe of money. It is
rumpred that the Hollanders have againe taken some caracks
of Portugal worth over the 6000000 ducats. Of the former I
suppose you have heard, being old newes when we came to
Zante. So w tt my love & service remembred, I commend
you to the Divine tuition & rest

"Your truest friend to serve you

" John Wenthrop.
"I pray present my service &c."

John Winlhrop, Jr., to John Freeman.

w Good S b , — I am now arrived in Christendome : the ninth

feb : stil : nov : was the day that we came into the Harbour

Malamoco neere Venice, from whence you had heard from

sooner had we not beene deteyned in the Purgatory of the

aretto a whole month, (the continuall expectation to be at

ty every day after the first weeke, confidently hoped for,

tng me defer lettres, knowing no man in Venice by whose

les I might have them sent on to you,) before I could have

y to enter the Gtty. Mr. Throgmorton & the Dutch

35

274 LIFE AND LETTERS

Gentleman being also partakers in the same penalty. To write
you of the particulars of o r Voyage, it would be frivolous,
remembring nothing that passed worthy your Intelligence, only
in generall you shall understand that from the Castles to Zant
we were in 5 daies, where we staied about a weeke ; there I
delivered your letter to M r Hobson : we found the Hector there
bound for England, in w^ h Mr. Throgmorton had gone but for
feare of long detention &c.

w The second parte of our voiage was very longe & tedious
w tt continuall tempests & foule weather, being a month in the
way betwixt Zant & Venice. I have sent your letters for Leg-
orne. I understand since that Mr. Harvy is gone for England.
Mr. Hide at the receipt of your letters hath kindly offered to
furnish me w th monies where I shall have occasio, w^ I thank-
fully acknowledge as a fruite of your love for w cb I confesse
myself deeply indebted to you, having found such extraordinary
kindnesses at your hands whilst I was vr** you that to propor-
tion my thanks w 111 your deserts would be too difficult for my
pen to endeavor, only I pray beleeve that I am ever your true
friend to doe you any service w ch may lye in compasse of my
best endeavours." [John Winthrop.]

Judah Tliroclcmorton to John Winthrop, Jr.

"To my worthy and very good ffreind Mr. John Winthrope this la

Zantc.
" Noble S r , — The pardon y u crave for not takeinge leave-
belonges to mee ; but the occasion w ch hindered me from bringe —
inge y u aboard, will I hope cause y n to make a favourable con —
struction of that neglect, w ch by no other meanes I should have^
lett slipp. I sent y r letter the next day as y u desired, but hear^
of noe letters from Leghorne ; if any hereafter come to n^^^
hands I will keepe them safe for y u , & should have bine gla^**
to have done y u some such service in England, if it had pleases
y u to have writte by me; but y u hope your vioadge wilb-^
more speedy, w ch I allsoe wishe y u , w lh all safety ; and all othe
contentment, w ch , now y u are ridd of a troublsome companion

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 275

I doubt not but y n shall enioy. The bootes y n left, if I had
bine assured of y r touchinge at Zant, I had sent, but havinge
some doubt thereof I may happily make bould w 01 them, &
remaine y* debtor for another paire till we meete. The stay
wee have at ffranckfort (be it more, or lesse) I will imploy to
find y r booke ; Soe w* my love & service to y r selfe I take
leave and rest

" Your truly loveinge ffreind to command

"JUDAH ThBOCKMORTON.
'•Venice the 17*: of Aprill, 1629.

W I hope we shall certainely begin our ioyrney the first or
second of May ; but I feare it twilbe longe and doubt I shall
finde it more chargeable then I did expect : but when I shall
arrive I will enquier for y u , to take some better instructions for
New England w** must I suppose be my way, or some such
course to recover my expences ; and to get some settled place."

John Winthrop, Jr., to his Father.

" Worp 11 his very loving father John Winthrop, In Groton.

"Amsterdam, July 28: Stilovd: 1629.
w Sir, — My duty remembered to your selfe, with my mother
& grandmother, with my love to my brothers & sister & the
rest of our good freinds, may you please to understand that I
am yesterday safely arrived in this Citty of Amsterdam. — God
be ever praysed for his mercies, that he hath given us a pros-
perous & safe passage, in this* tyme of much danger. I feare
you may be doubtfull of my safety, being now foure.monthes
since my last letters weere written from Venice ; having beene
mo long from thence in the way most at sea, saving that we
touched at Zant & staied there a while for the company of 2
other ships. I hoped we should have touched in some place in
^England, & so have found meanes to come home, but too
favorable winds crossed my desires : I am heere without ac-
quaintance & our long passage hath eaten out all the money
that I receyved at Venice, whereof, by the foresaid letters you

have understood, if they came to jour hands ; therefore I pray
you to send me a letter of credit from some merchant to some
man in Flushing, or Middleborough, which because I -thinks
you may be in the Country*, & bo cannot so readily doe, I have
written to my Undo Dotvning to desire him to doe it ; because
the longer X stay heere the more I shall runn in debt. There-
fore I would, as soone as I can receive answeare from you or
my undo, returne with all speede home. I have not since my
departure out o£ England heard from you neyther by letter nor
otherwise, therefore I long much to heare of your welfare, &
of die rest of my good freinds. If you write to me, I pray
conscribe it to be delivered in Flushing at the house of Mr.
Henry Kerker, for I purpose God willing to goc shortly thither,
where I shalbe neere to take my passage upon all occasions.
For newes I understand little since my coming, the Shertogeu-
bos 1 that the prince hath bdeagered, it is hoj>ed will shortly be
taken in, Obey having noe powder in the CStty : the Enemy b
on the otheir side close by this place, that they feare he fciffc
some deeigne for some place in Holland : thus with my duty
againe remebered, desiring your praiers & blessinge I comend
you to Gods tuition & rest

"Your Obedient Sonne "John Winthro?."

John Winihrop, Jr. , to his Father.
" To the worp n his very loving father John Winthrop Esq. In Groton-

w Sib, — My humble duty remembred unto your selfe & m^
mother: may you please to understand that I am (God t>^
thanked) yesterday safely arrived in London, now first unde^^ -
standing of the death of my grandmother & uncle* ffones, to n^^
great & unexpected greife, but we shall one day meet agairr^
with greater joy. They are already in the haven, we sai — -*
towards it dayly. I wrote unto you at my coming to Amste^^

1 Hertogenbosch, now Bote le Dae. It was yielded to Henry, Prince of
Sept 4, 1629

^J

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 277

dam, then not thinking I should have found so speedy occasions
to come over ; but coming to Missing where I thought I should
have expected answeare of my letters, & finding an English
Ship of good force ready to depart, instigated with a great
desire to understand of your welfare, I presently imbarqued
my selfe, on Munday morninge last ; but my trunke I could
not get with me on board, but have left it with a pinke which
will shortly be in London, whose coming I must expect ; for I
must send over by the M r thereof some mony which I there
owe, being about 12 pounds : I rejoyce much to heare of your
welfare, & shall thinke longe till I may see you & our good
freinds with you : So desiring your praiers & blessinge, I com-
mend you to the Almighties tuition & humbly take my leave
resting "Your Obedient Sonne " John Winthrop.
"London Aug: Friday 1629:

w My brother Henry I heare is in towne, but I have not yet
seene him. I pray remember my love to my sister his wife,
with all my brothers & sisters & cozens.

w Also to my uncle Gostling & aunt with Mr. Lee & all our
good freinds.

w My Aunt Downing desired to remember her love to you,
having no leysure to write this weeke."

Perhaps there is nothing more striking, in the account
of the tour which is here closed, than the fact, men-
tioned in the last letter but one, that not a single line
from England had reached the young traveller during
an absence of fourteen or fifteen months. We know
how prolific a letter-writer his father was ; and that it
was not through any default of his, that no tidings from
home, and no words of affectionate interest and advice,
had been received by a son who was so deservedly dear
to him. But there were no facilities for correspondence
with the absent and the distant in those days ; and both

278 LITE ASU LETTERS

the elder and the younger Winthrop must have written
their letters in great uncertainty whether they would
ever reach their destination- Hence there was but little
inducement to our traveller to make his letters the vehicle
of any elaborate account of his observations or experi-
ences. Some fragments are found among his papers,
which look as if he had made careful note of what he
saw and learned ; but there is nothing preserved in a
condition for being printed. He returned to find many
changes in the family circle s to some of which he touch-
ingly alludes in the letter announcing his arrival* But
we shall find a more appropriate place for noticing
them in the next chapter,

Meantime, we may conclude the present chapter with
the following brief but characteristic entry in the elder
Winthrop's autograph "Experiences." It may BatW
both to give some idea of the amusements of his others
children at Groton during their brothers absence, ark^*
to illustrate once more the father's unfailing recogniticz^i

of a Divine Hand in all the events and accidents c >

life.

w Aug : 1628. It pleased God to preserve my sonne A d i c
in a very g* danger, his broth : Step : & Ben : Gostlin be ii i gi
♦neere the danger also : for they standinge togither closse to -tie
stable doore, their broth : fforth shootinge at a marke a g* w^vje
from them, his arrowe came full amonge the children, so a*. ^ to
my thinkinge, it must needs strike into Adams side ; bimt it
pleased God, it missed him a very litde, & struck into the wnll
by him.

w Soone after, my sonne Deane fell backward from a high
stoole & pitched upon his head, so as we feared his necke had
been broke ; but, through Gods mercye, he had no harme."

OF JOHN WDfTHEOP. 279

CHAPTER XV.

WINTHROP'S SERIOUS ILLNESS. THE DEATH OF HIS MOTHER. THE
LOSS OF HIS OFFICE. CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS WIFE.

We have deviated somewhat from the order of dates,
with a view to include in the preceding chapter all that
was connected with the younger Winthrop's Oriental
tour. Many events had occurred in the family circle
during his absence ; and to these we must now recur, in
explanation of the correspondence which follows.

About the end of November, 1628, the elder Winthrop
had been taken seriously ill in London, while there in
attendance upon the terms of Court.' He seems to
have concealed his condition from his wife and children
at Groton, until he was out of immediate danger ; and
then we have the following brief letter : —

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My sweet Wife, — I can now no longer dissemble w*
thee, & I blesse o r most gratious & heavenly father, in o r most
holy Lo : Jesus Christ, that I may yet rather tell thee how I
have been, than to have feared thee w tt the relation of my con-
dition, when it was uncertain e what the issue would be : I have
had an ague these 8 : or 9 : dayes. I canot saye it is quite
gone, but I prayee God it is so well abated, as I hope to be
abroad againe over a fewe dayes (if God will). I am heere
amonge such lovinge freinds, as will suffer me to want nothinge,
especially the Lord beinge pleased to be w* me allso in the

favo^ & light of hie countenance ; jet were it not winter, I
oould want thee; but- (my sweet wife) have a little more
patience & God witf restore me to thee soone : I must per*
suade, & chardge thee, not to thinke of cominge up, for, if it
should befiiU thee other wise than well, it would be worse to me
than all this, & much more. Writing is now wearinesse; I
leave thee to supply all duly, love etc. Praye for me; die
Jjord blesse thee & all o w . I kisse thee — farewell.

" This THURSDAY EVENINGS.

"If Jack Pease his father A mother will let him goe over to
tlenrye, let him be sent up by Jarvais next weeke ; if they will
not let him goe, they shall have him home. If Anth : Deathes
boye will goe, let him come up allso,"

The true-hearted Margaret was not to be deterred, it
seems, by any remonstrances founded only upon conside-
rations of her own convenience or comfort, from going
at once to take care of her husband; and she sets off,
ivith no other attendant than her maid-servant (Amye),
on a wintry journey to London. She was undoubtedly
the bearer of the following little note from Winthrop's
mother, written with a trembling hand, and, as it proved,
on the very verge of her own grave : —

Anne Winthrop to Iter Son.

"My deare and onely Sonne, my most loving Sonne,
— I am very eory for thy sicknes and pray to God night &
day for thy good recovery which I desire with the most intire
affection of my hart, and wish my selfe present with thee. I
have no balme to send thee, but I will offer up to (the) Lord
the prayers of a true mornfull mother's hart till (I) se thy face
with Comfort, which God in his riche mercie grant me poore
soule. I pray, Sonne, remember me to your brother and
sister. "Your mornfull mother, "A. W. w

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 281

A few weeks afterwards, Margaret was obliged to
return to the care of her children at Groton, leaving
her husband happily convalescent; and then we have
the two letters which follow, showing that other anxie-
ties awaited her at home.

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.
" To my very loving Husband John Winthrop Esq. at Mr. Downings.

w MT MOST DEARE AND LOVEINGE HUSBAND, 1 doe ble88e

and prayse God for the continuance of your health, and for the
safe delivery of my good sister Downinge ; it was very welcom
Nuse to us. I thanke the Lord wee are all heare reasonably
well. My pore Stephen is up to day. Amye hath had a very
sore ague but is well againe. I hope the Lord will heare our
prayers and be pleased to stay his hand in this visitation, w ch if
he please to doe we shall have great cause of thankfulnesse :
but I desire in this and all other things to submit unto his holy
will ; it is the Lord, let him doe what semeth good in his owne
eyse. He will doe nothinge but that shall be for our good if
we had harts to trust in him, & all shall be for the best what
so ever it shall please him to exercise us withall. He wounds
& he can heale. He hath never fayled to doe us good, & now
he will not shake us off, but continue the same God still that
he hath bin heare to fore. The Lord sanctify unto us what
soever it shall please him to send unto us, that we may be the
better for it & furthered in our corce to heaven. I am sorye
for the hard condishtion of Rochell : the Lord helpe them &
fite for them & then none shall prevayle against them or over-
come them. In vaine they fite that fite against the Lorde, who
is a myty god & will destroy e all his enimyes. And now my
deare husband I have nothinge but my dearest affections to
send thee — with many thankes for thy kinde .letters, prayinge
you to except a little for a great deale : my will is good but
that I want abilite how to show & expresse it to thee as I

36

282 IJFB AND LETTERS

desire. I pray remember me to my brothers & Bisters, & tel
my brother Foones I thanke him for the thinges he sent, & sot
I bid my good husband farewell & commite him to God.
w Your loveinge & obedient wife,

"Margaret Wenthbope.

"I send up a turkeye & 2 capons & a cheese : the carier is
payde."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My deare Wife, — I received thy most lovinge & well-
come Lettre, & doe heartyly reioyce & blesse o r heavenly father,
acknowledging his most- gratious providence, & great love
towards us, as in all other thinges, so in this mercy, in bringing
thee home in saftye, & preservinge all o r family in peace to thy
cominge : we see how faithfull & true he is in all his promises.
O that we could make use of all o r experience to relye more
upon him, & cast o r owne cares upon him, caringe onely to
please & serve him : I am sorrye for Amye her sicknesae, but
praysed be God, who hath disposed so well of it, that the
trouble is fallen in o T owne house, for it would have been far
more burdensome & inconvenient if it had fallen heer : I doubt
not of thy care of her, that she may want neither meanes nor
attendance, & I trust the Lord will restore her againe in due
tyme. I prayse the LoixU I am now growne indifferent well,
& doe gather strength daylye, & doe hope (through his mercy)
we shall have a happy meetinge erelonge, for w ch , & for the
continuance of all other blessinges (especially those w** con-
cerne the good of o r soules) , let us be constant in prayer, & in
a carefull endcav r to walke in all well pleasinge before him.
Remember my duty to my good mother, my blessinge to all o r
children, & kinde Salut 8 to all o r freinds particularly at Groton
Hall & to M r Leigh ; thanke him for his kind & Christian Let-
tre : O r freinds heer are all in health & desire to be remembered
to you all : for newes I referre you to my neighbo r Newton :
we have received all the thinges you sent, my sister & my selfe
thanke thee for them. I will followe thy Counsell, & rest in

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 283

thy love for as kinde acceptance of these, as thy pretye sweet
- short Lettre had w* me, so I kisse my sweet wife & comend
thee & all o™ to o r most mercifull Lord & heavenly father in
Christ; so I kisse my sweet wife & rest

"Thy faithfull husband "Jo: Winthrop.

"Jan'y 22, 1628."

And now we are able to give, in this connection, an-
other brief passage from the little autograph volume ; in
which Winthrop has made the following record of his
experiences during the severe illness from which he had
just recovered. His tribute to his "honest and able
physician," and his testimony against the immoderate
love of tobacco, with his renunciation of the use of it,
will not be unobserved.

"Decemb : 1628. At London in the ende of Mich, terme,
I fell into a dangerous hote malign 1 feaver, wherein the Lord
shewed me exceedinge much mercye. ffirst he sanctified it
unto me, by discoveringe many corruptions w** had prevayled
over me, givinge me Repentance, & pardon for them, thereby
subduinge the flcshe & givinge more strengthe to the spirit : It
pleased him to reveale his favo r & goodnesse abundantly towards
me, so as I never had more sweet Comunion w tt him, then in
that afflictio ; & when in my selfe & the judgm* of others I was
under the sentence of deathe, it pleased him to restore me to
life, by providinge me fitt meanes, an honest & able phisician,
Doctor Wright, (whose care of me, & kindnesse in refusinge
any rewarde &c, I may not forgett) , & in blessinge the meanes
to their desired ende. Among other benefits I reaped by it,
this was one : deliverance from the bondage whereinto I was
fallen by the immoderate use & love of Tobacco, so as I gave
it cleane over. Another was the experience of the love of his
people towards me in all places where I was known, testified

:>y their muche inquiringe after me

r** was conceived of my deathe, & earnest prayinge for my §
recovcrye : But the greatest of all was, the assurance he gave
me of my salvation, & grace over some corruptions w* had
gotten maaterye of me, to* increased my experience of his
trueth & feithfullnesfee in disposinge the worst condition of
Ins children to their 'best good. I did likewise observe the
experience of his good providence, that my sicknesse fostned
not upon, me till I had finished my lawe businesse, & he
restored my healthe so as I was able by the beginninge
of the next Terme to followe it againe : Hie Lord give
me grace, never to forgett this kmdnesse, but to cleave fest
vi iid) him, & to holde that resolution of obedience Ac, w^he
wrought in me. Other favours I founde accompanyinge the
former, as preservinge & prosperinge my wife & those who
came up & returned w* her, & especially so disposinge as o r
mayd servant, who came up w 1 * her, continue <1 in healthe all
the tyme of her staye, but in their returne at Chelmsford fell
sicke, & ettinge home was neere unto deathe, hut it pleased
Q-od to recover hir : His holy name be praysed for ever, for all
his mercyes. Amen."

The next letter, in order of date, is addressed to his
son Henry, who had made a voyage to the West Indies
in the spring or summer of 1627, and had established
himself there, with a company of servants, as a planter
of tobacco. Henry had evidently been rather a wild
youth; and his adventurous and speculative turn had
occasioned his father much anxiety and expense. The
letter contains a good deal of sound advice and serious
remonstrance. It contains also some interesting details
of local and general history. But Henry had left his
plantation for a time, and embarked for home, before it
reached its destination.

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 285

John fVinthrop to his son Henry.

n Son Henry, — It is my daily care to commend you to the
Lord, that he would please to put his true fear into your heart,
and the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you may be saved,
and that your ways may be pleasing in his sight. I wish also
your outward prosperity, so far as may be for your good, I
have been sick, these seven or eight weeks, near unto death ;
but the Lord hath had mercy on me to restore me ; yet I am
not able to go abroad.

w I sent you by Capt. Powell a letter, and in it a note of such
things as I likewise sent you by him, in a chest with two locks,
whereof the keys were delivered to his brother, who went mas-
ter of the ship. The things cost me about £35 ; but, as yet,
I have received nothing towards it. I sent divers times to
Capt. Powell about your tobacco, but my man could never see
it, but had answer, I should have it, or money for it. But
there was ten pounds of it, by your appointment, to be deli-
vered to one and the worth of four lb to another, which made
me that I knew not what course to take ; besides, I found, by
the rolls you sent to me and to your uncles, that it was very
ill-conditioned, foul, and full of stalks, and evil colored ; and
your uncle Fones, taking the judgment of divers grocers, none
of them would give five shillings a pound for it. I desired
Capt. Powell, (coming one day to see me,) that he would help
me with money for it, which he promised to do ; but, as yet, I
hear not from him. I would have sent you some other things
by Mr. Randall ; but, in truth, I have no money, and I am so
far in debt already, to both your uncles, as I am ashamed to
borrow any more. I have disbursed a great deal of money for
you, more than my estate will bear. I paid for your debts since
you went, above £30, besides £4. 10s. to Annett and Dixon,
and now £35. Except you send commodity to raise money, I
can supply you no further. I have many other children that
are unprovided, and I see my life is uncertain. I marvel at
your great undertakings, having no means, and knowing how

286 LIFE AND LETTERS

much I am in debt already. Solomon saith, He who hasteth
to be rich, shall surely come to poverty. It had been more
wisdom and better becoming your youth, to have contained
yourself in a moderate course, for your three years ; and by
that time, by your own gettings and my help, you might have
been able to have done somewhat. But this hath been\ always
the fruit of your vain, overreaching mind, which will be your
overthrow, if you attain not more discretion and moderation
with your years. I do wonder upon what ground you should
be led into so gross an error as to think, that I could provide
ten such men as you write for, and disburse a matter #f £200,
(when J owe more already than I am able to pay, without sale
of my land,) and to do this at some two or three months' warn-
ing. Well, I will write no more of these things. I pray
God, make you more wise and sober, and bring* you home in
peace in his due time. If I receive money for your tobacco
before Mr. Randall go, I will send you something else ; other-
wise you must be .content to stay till I can. [If you send over
any more tobacco, take order it may be delivered to me, and if
you will have others to have shares out of it, let me have the
disposing of it ; for this last course of yours makes me jealous
of your intent, as I can be no less, when you gave me such
particular directions for the best improvement of it, and yet
underhand appoint another to dispose of a good part of it.
Well, enough of this. 1 ] Your brother (as I wrote to you)
hath been in the Levant above this half year, and I look not
for him before a year more. Your friends here are all in
health. Your uncles and aunts commend them to you ; but
they will take none of your tobacco ; only your uncle Tindale
and aunt (whom you write your kinswoman upon the outside
of your tabacco) thank you for theirs. I sent you, also, two
boys, (for men I could get none,) such as Capt. Powell
carried over; but I knew not what to do for their binding,

1 The pa?MLge in brackets was omitted in the letter aa contained in the Appendix
to the " History of New England."

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 287

being not able then either to walk or write, and they being
but youths. For news, here is little but what, I suppose}
this bearer can tell you. We shall have peace with France.
The Dutch have taken from the Spaniard, in the West In-
dies, a very great prize of silver, gold, etc., and have brought
it safe home. The king of Bohemia, and his oldest son,
going aboard to see it, in their return were cast away. The
king was saved, but the prince and many others were lost.

" Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston, and Sir William Springe, are
knights of the parliament for Suffolk. All the gentlemen have
been long since set at liberty. Sir Francis Barrington is at
rest in the Lord. Sir Henry Mildmay, of Graces, is sheriff
of Essex, and Mr. Gurdon for Suffolk.

W I have staid sending my letter above a week since I
wrote it, expecting some money from Capt. Powell, accord-
ing to his promise, that I might have sent you some other
things ; but I hear of none. Therefore I will end, and defer
till some other occasion. So, again-, I commend you to the
blessing, protection, and direction of the Lord, and rest

"Your loving father, "Jo: Winthrop.

" London, this 30 of January, 1628."

We have next a delightful letter of sympathy and
consolation to his sister-in-law, Priscilla Fones, in Lon-
don, occasioned by the protracted illness and approaching
death of her husband, Thomas Fones. It was written
from Groton, whither Winthrop had returned after his
recovery, and after finishing another term of Court.

John Winthrop to Priscilla Fones.

u To my very loving Sister Mrs. Fones, at her House in the Old Bai-
ley, London.

"My good Sister, — I have been too long silent to you,
considering mine own consciousness of that great debt, which
I owe you for your love and much kindness to me and mine.

J

II

288

But, I assure you, it is Dot through want of good will to
you ; but having many letters to write weekly, I take my ease,
to include you in my brother's.

" I partake with you in that affliction, which it plea&eth the
Lord still to exercise you and my good brother in* I know
God hath so fitted and disposed your mind to bear troubles,
aa your friends may take the less care for you in them. He
shows your more love, in enabling you to bear them comforta-
bly, than you could apprehend in the freedom from them. Go
on cheerfully, (my good sister,) let experience add more confi-
dence still to your patience. Peace shall come. There will be
a bed to rest in, large and easy enough for you both. It is
preparing in the lodging appointed for you in your Father's
house. He that vouchsafed to wipe the sweat from his disci-
ples* feet, will not disdain to wipe the tears from those tender,
iFectionate eyes. Because you have been one of his mourners
in the house of tribulation, you shall drink of the cup of joy,
and be clothed with the garment of gladness, in the kingdom
of his glory. The former things, and evil, will soon be passed ;
but the good to come shall neither end nor change. Never
man saw heaven, but would have passed through hell to come
at it. Let this suffice as a test of my true love to you, and of
the account I make of the happiness of your condition. I com-
mend you to his good grace, who is All-sufficient ; and so, with
my mother's, my wife's, and mine own salutation to yourself,
and my good brother, and all my cousins, I rest

" Your loving brother, w Jo : Winthrop.

"March 25,1628.'

W I pray remember my love to your brother, Mr. Bur-

" I pray tell my brother, that his tenant Gage desires him to
forbear him £10 till Whitsuntide."

1 The date should plainly have been 1629, of which year (according to the old style)
March 25 was the first day.

OP JOHN WTNTHROP. 289

And now we have a series of letters, called forth by a
strange combination of domestic events. Thomas Fones,
a brother-in-law to whom Winthrop appears to have been
strongly attached, died in London on the 15th of April,
1629. Winthrop's own mother, who had always lived
under the same roof with himself, and for whom he must
have had the deepest affection and veneration, died at
Groton only four days afterwards. He was doubtless
at home to receive her farewell blessing, and to pay his
last tribute to her remains. But he must have been
obliged to hurry down to London immediately afterwards,
to attend the "Easter Term of Court ; and there, on the
25th of the same month, his son Henry, who had just
returned from Barbadoes, was married to his cousin,
Elizabeth Fones, with a view of taking her from her
now desolate home to his plantation in the West Indies.
The letters written by Winthrop to his wife, under these
circumstances, are full of the loftiest strain of religious
faith and devotional fervor ; and it was in no spirit of
levity, we may be assured, that Margaret replies to one
of them, " Those serious thoughts of thine did make a
very good supply instead of a sermon." The first letter
was evidently sent by Henry and his bride, on their visit
to Groton, immediately after their marriage.

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My good Wife, — Although I wrote to thee last week
by the carrier of Hadleigh, yet, having so fit opportunity, I
must needs write to thee again ; for I do esteem one little,
sweet, short letter of thine (such as the last was) to be well
worthy two or three from me. How it is with us, these bear-

37

290 LIFE AND LBTTEE8

era can inform thee, 00 as I may write the less. They were
married on Saturday last, and intend to stay with thee tDl
towards the end of the term ; for it will be yet six weeks before
they can take their voyage. Labor to keep, my son at Jiome as
much as thou canst, especially from Hadleigh. I began this
letter to thee yesterday, at two of the clock, thinking to have
been large, but was so taken up by company and business, as I
could get but hither by this morning. It grieves me that I have
not liberty to make better expression of my love to thee, who
art more dear to me than all earthly things ; but I will endea-
vor that my prayers may supply the defect of my pen, which
will be of best use to us both, inasmuch as the favor and bless-
ing of -our God is better than all things besides. My trust »
in his mercy, that, upon the faith of his gracious promise, and
the experience of his fatherly goodness, he will be our God
to the end, to carry us along through this course of our pilgrim-
age, in the peace of a good conscience, and that, in the end
of our race, we shall safely arrive at the haven of eternal hap-
piness. We see how frail and vain all earthly good things are.
There is no means to avoid the loss of them in death, nor the
bitterness which accompanyeth them in the cares and troubles
of this life. Only the fruition of Jesus Christ and the hope of
heaven can give us true comfort and rest. The Lord teach ub
wisdom to prepare for our change, and to lay up our treasure
there, where our abiding must be forever. I know thou lookest
for troubles here, and, when one affliction is over, to meet witla
another ; but remember what our Saviour tells us : Be of goo*)

COMFORT, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. See his gOodne»«>

He hath conquered our enemies beforehand, and, by faith "^
him, we shall assuredly prevail over them all. Therefore, (rr*tf
sweet wife,) raise up thy heart, and be not dismayed at tz~~^ e
crosses thou meetest with in family affairs or otherwise ; but s - *^
fly to him, who will take up thy burden for thee. Go thou on
cheerfully, in obedience to his holy will, in the course he h^^** 1
set thee. Peace shall come. Thou shalt rest as in thy b^**'
and, in the mean time, he will not fail nor forsake thee. i^9 ut

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 291

my time is past ; I must leave thee. So I commend thee and
all thine to the gracious protection and blessing of the Lord.
All our friends here salute thee ; salute thou ours from me.
Farewell, my good wife. I kiss and love thee with the kindest
affection, and rest

"Thy faithful husband, "Jo. Winthrop.

"April 28, 1629.

w Let John Bluet l be satisfied for his horse."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

n My good Wife, — I wrote to thee by my Sonne, & there-
fore will take lib* 76 to be briefe now, havinge many other Lettres
to write, & verye little leisure. Blessed be the Lorde 6 r good
God that in this tyme of o r absence from each other, we may
yet heare of one anothers welfare, & have comfort in o r mu-
tuall love, w ch through his grace is so setled, as neither tyme
nor absence can alter or deminishe : O r freinds heere are in
reasonable health (I prayse God) , & desire to be kindly re-
membred to thee : my sister Downinge will expect Mary Morten
this next weeke ; she may come up by Colchester wagon verye
well. I will take a tyme to conferre with my sister Downing
about thy clothes ; she weares no mourninge apparrell, but I
& my man are in it. I praye thee sena to Cambridge so
soone as may be. Comende my love & blessinge to my son &
daughter : I thanke thee for thy readynesse to entertain them,
but I would not have thee to make them over great a charge.
Tell him that Mr. Gurdon desires to comende a man to him for
his plantatio, whoom I would have him to entertaine, for it
eeemes he is honest & trustye, & fitt to doe service, & such he
shall have neede of: let him speake with M r Gurdon about
him.

w Let John Samford speake w a Milburne, & tell him that he
hath a brother, who should hire a mill of S r Hen : Mildmay at

* He was, two years before, steward of the manor of Groton, of which Winthrop
'Was lord.

«irn

W 1 yr rfi.. tt^* i*5r* **

4iAil »*> vnwf^ t* nar -hr i»

,•"■*

" ilfi#r* * in§» tiw»* : :aar r" *. 3F~ aearnbtr' 5Wvnn will

v* »^ amvm**: *sunrxz>t\u& v. "3r T*r**sr «e&. 117 jiv»* £ iusb-

prvs**f >,n & ' ••*^ : *n.-r* ;c */ •uaL^HXij Fufusr. *i I kfaae dine £

~ Tr.7 £i»rariZ lruH-.onii ""Jo : Womwr.

* ft Mxrj f-rxt* -vt, \j zk& tticti. *fce aiaj bn« a porter tt>
tarry* h*r fh.Vii'** 4 v> *&■« Lct- c> bt brxbff Etammsesw* ^^

" f <,r rr.v -,-v X::.'.;? H.-'at.-L J ■>..-. Win :!_-:£. E^:- ±rr^ Mirer

"M'/-r //>vr«.'/ am; <wor/ IIi>bjl>t«. — I Lave ns^iv *■_-*]
jrorjr Mu-r*. J h<: fr-;'- fok'-ri.- of your l^ve ar.«i care •■:* &■***
u<t<A s no* at vonr ii]>-('.Ti f :(;. a- well a- when v. .11 are i-r^seC 11 '
tnitki' nit- think that, .-ay in £ fal.-e. Out of *i^ht out of mind. *

fiifi -ore rny h'-art and thought.-; are always near you, to d«> ^c~*- >u
pi^l and not evil all th'* day* of my life.

" I hope, through f iod\- hle.-Mn<:, your pains will not be aI* -> ~
p-llirr lo»t, whi<h yon he.«tow ii[>on me in writing. Th«'-"*
«i-iii»ii.i thought-* of your own, which you sent me, did ma*** *
11 mi y food Hiipply in.-tead of a r-ermon. I shall often rca*/
them, a u«l d< -in- to l»c of fJodV family, to whom so mao**

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 293

blessings belong, and pray that I may not be one sepa-
rated from God, whose conscience is always accusing them.
I shall not need to write to you of any thing this week.
My son and brother Goatling can tell you how we are. And
I shall think long for your coming home. And thus, with my
best love to you, I beseech the Lord to send us a comfortable
meeting in his good time. I commit you to the Lord.
" Your loving and obedient wife,

"Margaret Winthrop."

John Winthrop to his Wife.
[Fragment.]

w The largeness and truth of my love to thee makes me al-
ways mindful of thy welfare, and sets me on work to begin to
write before I hear from thee. The very thought of thee
affords me many a kind refreshing : What will then the enjoy-
ing of thy sweet society, which I prize above all worldly com-
forts?

CT Yet, such is the folly and misery of man, as he is easily
brought to contemn the true good he enjoys, and to neglect
the best things, which he holds only in hope, and both upon an
ungrounded desire of some seeming good, which he promiseth
to himself. And if it be thus with us, that are Christians, who
have a sure word to direct us, and the holy faith to live by,
what is the madness and bondage of those who are out of
Christ? Oh ! the riches of Christ ! Oh ! the sweetness of the
word of grace ! It ravisheth my soul in the thought hereof, so
as, when I apprehend but a glimpse of the dignity and felicity
of a Christian, I can hardly persuade my heart to hope for so
great happiness. Let men talk what they will of riches,
honors, pleasures, etc. ; let us have Christ crucified, and let
them take all besides. For, indeed, he who hath Christ, hath
all things with him ; for he enjoyeth an all-sufficiency, which
makes him abundantly rich in poverty, honorable in the low-
est abasements, full of joy and consolation in the sharpest
afflictions, living in death, and possessing eternity in this vale

294 LIFE AND LETTEUS

of misery. Therefore bless we God for his free and infinite
mercy, in bestowing Christ upon us. Let us entertain ami
love him with our whole hearts ; let us trust in him, and cleave
to him with denial of ourselves, and all things beside*, and
account our portion the best in the world ; that §o, being
strengthened and comforted in his love, we may put forth our-
selves to improve our life and means to do him service, There
are very few hours left of this day of our labor : then comet
the night, when we shu.ll take our rest. In the morning we
shall awake unto glory and immortality, when we shall him* no
more work to do ; no more pains or grief to endure ; no more
care, fear, want, reproach, or infirmity i no more am, corrup-
tion, or temptation.

"lam forced to patch up my letters, here a piece and there
another, I have now received thine, the kindly fruits of thy
most sweet affections. Blessed be the Lord for the welfare of
thyself and all our family,

n I received letters from my two sons with thee. Remember
my love and blessing to them, and to my daughter Wintluup,
for whose safety I give the Lord thanks, I have so many let-
ters to write, as I cannot write to them now. Our frienda hen;
are in reasonable health, and desire to be kindly remembered to
you all. Commend me to all my good friends, my loving
neighbors goodman Cole and his wife, to whom we are always
much beholden. I will remember M her gown and petti-
coat, and the children's girdles. So, with my most affectionate
desires of thy welfare, and my blessing to all our children, I
kiss my sweet wife, and commend thee and all ours to the gra-
cious protection of our heavenly Father, and rest
w Thy faithful husband,
w still present with thee in his most unkind absence,

w Jo. Wdtthbop.
" May 8, 1629.

w I am sorry for my neighbor Bluet's horse ; but he dull
lose nothing by him. Tell my son Henry I will pay the money
he writes of."

OP JOHN WINTHKOP. 295

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.
u To my very loving Husband John Winthrop these deliver.

"My sweet Husband, — I rejoice in the expectation of our
happy meeting ; for thy absence hath been very long in my
conceit, and thy presence much desired. Thy welcome is al-
ways ready ; make haste to entertain it.

w I was yesterday at a meeting at goodman Cole's upon the
going of the young folk to Dedham, where many thanks were
given to God for the reformation of the young man, and amend-
ment of his life. We had also a part in their prayers. My
dear husband, I will now leave writing to thee, hoping to see
thee shortly. The good Lord send us a comfortable meeting.
And thus, with my due respect to thyself, brother and sister
D., sister Fanny, 1 son John, and the rest. My daughter re-
members her duty to you all ; thinks long for her husband. I
received the things you sent, and thank you heartily for them.
I will take order with my man to buy some trimming for my
gown. And so I bid my good husband farewell, and commit
him to the Lord.

w Your loving and obedient wife,

"Margaret Winthrop.

w I pray buy a Psalter for Deane. I can get none here."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My good Wife, — I prayse the Lord for the wished
newes of thy welfare & of the rest of our companye, & for the
continuance of ours heer : it is a great favour, that we may
enjoye so much comfort & peace in these so evill & declining
tyme8, & when the increasinge of our sinnes gives us so great

1 Mr. Savage suggests that this name may have been inaccurately copied from the
original. It was undoubtedly written Fonts. I have more difficulty about the "son
John," as he did not return from his tour in the East until August

206 zjora anb lkttebb

cause to looke for some heavye scourge & Judgment to be
cominge upon us : The Lorde hath admonished, threatened,
corrected, & astonished us, jet we growe worse & worse, so as
his Spirit will not allwayes strive with us, he must needs give
waye to his fiirye at last : He hath smitten all the other Churches
before our eyes, & hath made them to drinke of the bitter,
cuppe of tribulatio, even unto death. We sawe this, & hum-
bled not* ourselves, to turne from our evill wayes, but have
provoked him more than all the nations rounde about us :
therefore he is turninge the Cuppe towards us also, & because
we are the last, our portion must be, to drinke the verye dreggs
winch remaine : My dear wife, I am veryly persuaded, God
will bringe some heavye Affliction upon this lande, & that
speedylye : but be of good comfort, the hardest that can come
shall be a meanes to mortifie this bodye of corruption, which is
a thousand tymes more dangerous to us then any outward tri-
bulation, & to bring us into nearer comunion with our Lord
Jesus Christ, & mere assurance of his kingdome. If the
Lord seeth it wilbe good for us, he will provide a shelter A a
hidinge place for us & others, as a Zoar for Lott, Sarephtah
for his prophet, &c : if not, yet he will not forsake us : though
he correct us with the roddes of men, yet if he take not his
mercy e & lovinge kindnesse from us we shalbe safe. He onely
is allsufficient ; if we have him, we have all things : if he seeth
it not good to cutt our portion, in these thinges belowe, equall
to the largenesse of our desires, yet if he please to frame
our mindes to the portion he allotts us, it wilbe as well
for us.

" I thanke thee for thy kinde letter. I am going to West-
minster, & must heere breake off. I would have my sonne

H to be heere on teusdaye that I may goe out of towne on

Wensdaye or thursdaye next. If Marye her gowne be made I
will send it downe by Smith this weeke, or els next, with other
thinges : all our freinds heer are indifferent well, & desire to be
contended to thee, so with my hearty salut" to all our freinds
with thee, my love & blessinge to my sonnes & daughters, in

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 297

very much hast, I ende & comende thee & all ours to the gra-
tious protectio & blessinge of the Lorde — so I kisse my sweet
wife, & thinke longe till I see thee — farewell.

"Thine "Jo: Winthrop.

w I thanke thee for our Turkye.

"May 15. 1629."

John Winthrop to his Wife.
" To my verye lovinge wife Mrs. Winthrop at Groton in SufFk.

w Thou mayest mervaile that thou haddest no Letter from
me by my Sonne, but I knowe thou wilt not impute it to any
decaye of love, or neglect of thee ; who art more pretious to
me than any other thinge in this worlde ; but the uncertainty
of his io r nye, & the dislike of his ill course, which made me
estrange my selfe towards him. I prayse God I came safe
hither, & am in good health as all our friends heere are (who
desire to be kindly remembered to thee). I hope my sonne
hath putt awaye his man, for he promised he would, & that he
would amende his life : I beseech the Lorde to give him grace
so to doe ; otherwise he will soone be undone. I am still more
confirmed in that course vr** 1 1 propounded to thee, & so are my
brother & Sister D : the good Lo : direct & blesse us in it.

W I received a lettre from fforthes Tutor, wherein he com-
playnes of his longer absence, w ch he findes doth him much
hurte both in his learninge & manners, & wisheth me to sende
him speedylie, for he sayth he hath provided him a chamber in
the Colledge. I praye thee speake with him, & doe as may be
fittest, for if he intendes not the ministerye, I have no great
minde to sende him any more ; if he doth, let him goe so soone
as he can. I have now received thy sweet lettre, v^ I heartyly
thanke thee for, & doe with all thankfullnesse acknowledge the
goodnesse of the Lord towards us in his blessinge upon thee &
all ours, which I shall labour the continuance of to the best of
my power, & so farr as my poore prayers can give furtherance.
I am sorye I cannot write to thee as I desire, but thou wilt

38

298 LIFE Aim LETTEBS

beare with me the rather for that I thinke my Office is gone, so
as 1 shall not wronge thee so much with my absence as I have
done, I will send thee some pepper in my sonnes boxe, <& sa
with my bleesinge to my Bonnes & daughters, salutations to
nil our good friendes, & my most intire Affections to thy sclfe,
I comend thee to the grace & blessinge of the Lord & rest

" Thy faithfull husband H Jo : Wintelkof.

"Thou shalt receive in the boxe a book of the newes this
weeke*

" My sister ffonee & her children will be with thee after the
Terme,

"Junk 6- 1629.

"Sende me no linnen for I have enough heere/

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My GOOD Wife, — I received thy most kinde Lettre. I
Hesse the Lord for the continuance of thy wellfare & of all o f
family* Thou desirest an excuse for thy brevity e \ thou shalt
need no other then this, that I am forced to the like : but such
Apologies are needlesse between us, where there is so good
assurance of the trueth of each others love : I blesae God for
thee allwayes, in that sweet comfort & content I have in thee ;
but I must breake off these discourses, though I delight much
in them.

"My sonnes man is come up, but I knowe not upon what
termes, for nobodye writes a word about him. fforth may goe
to Camb : now or at my returne, for all will be one, if he
meanes not to continue there. My Sonne Henry must come
up before the ende of the terme, for he can doe nothinge out of
terme, but his wife needs not come.

"The gent who were in prison, are like to be delivered, &
some of them have lib tye already to goe abroade. O* freinds
heere are all well, God be thanked, onely my sister ffones is
much troubled w* the toothach, they all desire to be comended

fc

OF JOHN WINTHBOP, 299

to thee. So w tt my true love to thy sweet selfe, my blessing
to all o r children, & salut" to all o r freinds, I comende thee to
the Lord & rest in hast " Thy faithful husband

w Jo: Winthrop.

" ffor Whales, he hath so often broke promise w* me, as I
will trust him no more.

"June 12. 1629."

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.
" To hir very lovinge Husban John Winthrope Esq r these dd.
w My deabe Husband, — Havinge so fit opertunity I cannot
omit it, but rite a word or two to thee that you may understand
of our healths. I prayse God we are all well, and I think very
longe for y or returne home. I hope to hear this weeke when
you will come home. I have received y° r sweet letter; and
thanke thee for it. My sonne will be at London before the end
of the terme : he and his wife purpose to goe to my 'brothers
Tyndall some time this weeke and I thinke he will goe from
thence to London. I may chance to goe alonge with them, my
daughter beinge a stranger thear : if I go -I shall not right ainy
more this weeke without I can send from thence. Thou seast
how bold I am to take leave to goe abrode in thy abcence, but
I presume upon thy love and concent, or elce I wolde not doe
it. I hope I shall take order that all thinges shalbe wel looked
to for the time I stay. I will not trouble thee with relatinge
any thinge to thee, but leave all maters till I see thee. I loth
to be thus short in righ tinge to thee, but that it is night and I
must send awaye my letter, and part with my beloved and good
Husban, and have nothinge but my best love and all due
respect to send him which my pen can not exprese or my tounge
utter, but I will endevor to shew it as well as I can to thee, and
to all that love thee. I pray remember my love to brother
and sister Downinge, sister Fones. I hope I shall see them all
heare this sommer, and thus I must leave thee and bid my sweet
Husban good night and commit him to God.
w Your faythful and obedient wife

"Margaret Winthbopb.

*Our soimes aad daughters remember thear dnfy. "I will
not right any thing amir about my sonnes man, haveings :

tyme. Ton shall know when you come home. I thinlce my
•cm Forth wift gee to Cambridge this weeke and talke with his
t*t«r but I thinlre he is tesoulved to be no longer thear."

JoAfi Winthrop to Mt Wife.

"To Mi ▼wye tarings' wife M" Winthrop at her house in Ghrotoo,

Suffk.

"Mr OOOi> Wot, — I reeeived thy moat kinde Lett^e, &
deeprayse God for the good newes of thy wellfore A of all our
ye: which I beseech him in mercye to continue & Mess*
Bi. I like well of thy iournye to Maplested, for thon
hadet need of some refreahinge among Ay many caxea & tras-
hier Our beat oomfort is, we shall rest hi heaven. I cenaot
write much to thee for I am going to Westminster s neither eaa.
tell thee when I shall come home, bat my love towards thee
will hasteti mee. Oar firiendes heere are in health, yet my mate*
flbsee is ii' >t weflL ISwy desire to he rememb : to thee. So k
much hast with my love & blessing to, my children, salut™ to
all our good friendes & my best Affections to thy selfe, I com-
ende thee to the blessinge & protection of the Lord & so I kisse
my sweet wife & rest

* Thy faithfull husbande, " Jo : Winthrop.
"June 17. 1629.

w Let this lettre inclosed be delivered into Mr. Motts owne
hands."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To his very loving Wife, Mre. Winthrop, at her House in Groton.

"My good Wife, — I wrote to thee this week by Roger
Mather, but shall expect no other letter from thee, because of
thy journey to Maplested, from whence I hope thou art safely
returned. Blessed be the Lord, our good God, who watcheth
over us in all our ways to do us good, and to comfort us with

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 301

his manifold blessings, not taking occasion by our sins to punish
us as we deserve. Through his mercy it is, that I continue in
health, and that, to my great joy, I hear well of thee and our
family. The Lord teach us the right use of all his blessings,
and so temper our affections towards the good things of this
life, as our greatest joy may be, that our names are in the
book of life, that we have the good will of our heavenly
Father, , that Christ Jesus is ours, and that by him we have
right to all things. Then, come what will, we may have joy
and confidence.

w My sweet wife, I am sorry that I cannot now appoint the
time, that I hope to return, .which cannot be the next week ;
though, it is like, my sister Pones, or some of her company,
will come down then ; but you shall hear more the beginning
of next week.

" For news I have but one to write of, but that will be more
welcome to thee than a great deal of other. My office is gone,
and my chamber, and I shall be a saver in them both. So, as
I hope, we shall now enjoy each other again, as we desire.
The Lord teach us to improve our time and society to more use
for our mutual comfort, and the good of our family, etc., than
before. It is now bed time ; but I must lie alone ; therefore
I make less haste. Yet I must kiss my sweet wife ; and so,
with my blessing to our children, and salutation to all our
friends, I commend thee to the grace and blessing of the Lord,
and rest, " Thy faithful husband, w Jo. Wintkrop.

* My brother D. and sister, and sister F. commend them to
thee."

John Wintkrop to his Wife.
w My good Wife, — Blessed be the Lord o r God for his
great mercye still continued to us & o™. O that we could
consider aright of his kindnesse, that we might knowe <f hap-
pinesse in being the children of such a father, & so tenderly
beloved of the All sufficient, but we must needs complaine.
Oh this flesh, this fraile sinfull flesh, that obscures the beauty

302 UFE AKD LETTERS

& brightnesse of eo great glorye & goodnesse I I thanke thee
for thy most kinde & sweet Lettre, the stampe of that amiable
affection of a moat lovinge wife: I assure thee, thy labour of
love (tho 1 it be very great) shall not be lost, so far as the
prayers & endeavours of a faithfiill husbande can tende to
requitall. But I must limitt the length of my desires to the
shortnesse of my leysurc, otherwise I should not knowe when
to ende. I trust, in the Lorde, the tyme of o r wished meetinge
wilbe shortly, but my occasions are such as thou must have
paeienee till the ende of next weeke, thoughe I shall strive ro
shorten it, if possible I maye : and after that, I hope, we shall
never parte so longe againe, till we parte for a better meetinge
in heaven. But where we shall epende the rest of o r short tyme
I knowe not ; the Lorde, I trust, will direct us in mercye ; my
comfort is that thou art willinge to be my companion in what
place or conditio soerere, in weale or in woe. Be it what it
may, if God be w" 1 us, we need not feare; his favour, <& the
klngdome of heaven wilbe alike & happincsse enough to ua &
o™ in all places, [forw] is in London, but I have seen him but
twice, I knowe not what he doth nor what he intendeth, I
mourne for his sinnes & the miserye that he will soone bringe
upon himselfe & his wife. Our freinds here are all in health
(God be praysed) & desire to be comended to thee, so w a my
love & blessinge to o r children, salutatio to all o r freinds, my
brother & sister Gostlin &c, I comende thee to the good Lorde
& kisse my sweet wife & rest

* Thy faithfull husband w Jo : Winthrop.

"June 22. 1629.

w Send me no horses except I send for them."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To his verye lovinge Wife, M M Winthrop the elder at her house in
Groton in Suffolk.

"My good Wife, — I received thy kinde Lettre, & doe
blesse our good God that I iieare of thy wellfare & of all o*

fc

OF JOHN WUNTHKOP. 303

familye ; myselfe am likewise in health (I prayse the Lorde) &
hope to be w* thee shortly, with my sister ffones & all her com-
pany : We intend (God willinge) to sett forth of London on
Wenesdaye next, & so to be at Groton on thursdaye. The
Lorde directe & prosper all o r iomeye. I am so streightened in
tyme as I can write no more, but must leave the rest to be sup-
plied when I come ; the good Lorde & o* most mercifull father
blesse & keepe thee & all o™. So with the kinde salutations of
all o r freinds heer to thee, & mine owne to all o r freinds w tt
thee, I kisse my sweet wife & rest

w Thy faithfull husband "Jo: Winthbop.-
"June 26. 1629.

w Let this lettre inclosed be delivered into his owne hands."

It will be observed, that, in the letter of June 5, Win-
throp says to his wife, "I thinke my Office is gone;"
and that, in a subsequent letter (without date), he tells
her distinctly, " My Office is gone & my chamber both."
We know not the circumstances under which he ceased
to be an Attorney of the Court of Wards. His oppo-
sition to the course of the Government at this period,
and his manifest sympathy with those who were suffering
under its unjust exactions and proscriptions, may have
cost him his place. Or he may have resigned it volun-
tarily, in view of the new plans of life, which more than
one of his letters would seem to indicate that he was con-
templating. It is evident that he felt that a crisis was at
hand in the condition of England, and that he was
anticipating a personal share in the sufferings to which
the friends of civil and religious freedom were about to
be subjected. When he says to his wife, in the last
letter but one, " Where we shall spend the rest of our

304 LIFE AND LETTERS

short time I know not, — my comfort is that thou art
willing to be my companion in what place or condition
soever ," — we seem to find the first foreshadowing of the
great decision which will be developed in our next chapter.

The present chapter may be concluded, like the last,
with a little scrap from the private " Experiences ;" which
corresponds exactly to the period we have reached.

w July 28 : 1629. My Bro : Downing & myselfe ridinge

" into Lincolnshire by Ely, my horse fell under me in a bogge in

the fennes, so as I was allmost to the waiste in water ; but the

Lorde preserved me from further danger. Blessed be his name."

New England may well say Amen to this blessing.
That ride to Lincolnshire was on an eventful errand.
Beyond a question, Winthrop and Downing were on
their way to Sempringham to visit Isaac Johnson, and
consult with him about the great Massachusetts enter-
prise. There is a letter from Johnson to Downing,
found among Winthrop's papers, 1 dated just twenty days
before, inviting them to do so. The Lady Arbella was
doubtless at home to administer the hospitalities ; and
Winthrop may have promised her, in some playful com-
pliment, that, if she would be of the party, the ship
should bear her name. But the interview was almost
too serious for compliments of any sort ; and we are
anticipating events which belong to a later page.

1 Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, vol. vi. p. 29.

OP JOHN WINTHKOP. 305

CHAPTER XVI.

WINTHROP DECroES FOR NEW ENGLAND. HIS SON'S LETTER APPROV-
ING THE DECISION. THE CONSIDERATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS.

We have at length reached the period of a decision,
which has made the life of John Winthrop a part of
the public history of New England and of America.
We devoted the last chapter to the changes which had
occurred in his domestic circumstances and condition
during the absence of his eldest son in the East, and to
the correspondence which relates to that period. These
changes had undoubtedly co-operated with other and
more public considerations in preparing his mind for
the great step which he had now resolved upon, and
which was announced to the younger Winthrop, by a
letter from Groton, immediately on his arrival in London.
Unhappily, this letter is missing from the family file,
and cannot be recovered. No doubt, it explained the
reasons why the father could not hasten in person to
London, to welcome his son home again after so long an
absence. No doubt, it told him of the momentous
meeting which was to take place at Cambridge a few
days afterwards, and from which nothing could excuse
him for staying away. No doubt, it gave him a summary
sketch of the original springs and motives of his determi-
nation to quit his native land, and to become the leader
of the great emigration to the 'New World.

89

306 MFE AXD LETTERS

Most fortunately, the son's reply has been preserved ;
and the beauty of its style and thought is only surpassed
by the importance of its substance. It is a memorable
letter in New-England history. It is certainly a memo-
rable letter hi the correspondence of those between
whom it passed. Fresh from a protracted pilgrimage in
distant lands, the younger Winthrop condenses into a
single sentence the whole philosophy of his travels. In
another sentence, he expresses his confident belief that
the whole disposition of the business in hand is " of the
Lord ; " and, in a third, he dedicates himself unreserved-
ly to the work, with an earnestness and a solemnity
which could only be equalled by the diligence and fidelity
with which the pledge was redeemed in his subsequent
careex

But the letter will speak sufficiently for itself; and we
give it without further comment.

John Winthrop, Jr., to his Father.

"Sir, — My humble duty remembered to you and my mo-
ther, may you please to understand, that I received your letters,
that by William Ridley on Wednesday, and your other yester-
day, rejoicing much to hear of your welfare, with the rest of
our good friends, which I desire much with my own eyes to
behold. Therefore I purpose, God willing, to make all haste
down the next week, hoping to accept of Mr. Guidon's kind
offer, if I can.

"For the business of New England, I can say no other
thing, but that I believe confidently, that the whole disposition
thereof is of the Lord, who disposeth all alterations, by his
blessed will, to his own glory and the good of his ; and, there-
fore, do assure myself, that all things shall work together for

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 307

the best therein. And for myself, I have seen so much of the
vanity of the world, that I esteem no more of the diversities
of countries, than as so many inns, whereof the traveller that
hath lodged in the best, or in the worst, findeth no difference,
when he cometh to his journey's end ; and I shall call that my
country, where I may most glorify God, and enjoy the presence
of my dearest friends. Therefore herein I submit myself to
God's will and yours, and, with your leave, do dedicate myself
(laying by all desire of other employments whatsoever) to the %
service of God and the Company herein, with the whole endea-
vors, both of body and mind.

"The Conclusions, which you sent down, I showed my
uncle and aunt, who liked them well. I think they are unan-
swerable ; and it cannot but be a prosperous action, which is
so well allowed by the judgments of God's prophets, under-
taken by so religious and wise worthies of Israel, and indented
to God's glory in so special a service.

"My aunt Goulding remembereth her love to you. She
saith, it is not yet discharged, that she knoweth. Here is cer-
tain news, that the Dutch have taken Wesel. So, desiring
your prayers and blessing, I commend you to the Almighty's
protection, and rest "Your obedient son,

"John Winthrop.
"London, August 21, 1629.

" I pray remember my love to my brothers and sisters and
all our friends, whom I hope shortly to see."

It would not be easy, at this late day, to identify the
precise paper which was enclosed in the letter of the el-
der Winthrop, and to which the son alludes, under the
title of " the Conclusions." The original may have dis-
appeared, and perhaps may have perished, with the letter
in which it was communicated. Yet, more probably, it
was returned to the father's hands, after it had been

308 LIFE AST) LETTER8

examined and considered; and it may *

mass of manuscript matter from which

is compiled. There can be no doubt, ce 5

have the substance of it, if not the orig

duplicate, in one or both of the papers

be given. -

And, first, we have a paper, a consider
which has been already published in Hut
lection of Original Papers relative to th<
Colony of Massachusetts Bay," under the
ral Considerations for the Plantation oi
with an Answer to several Objections."
served, by those who may desire to instil
rison, that this document, as we now
careful copy found among Winthrop's
essentially, both in its title and in its tex*
sion which fell into the hands of Hutchr
are the various heads of the argumci
ranged, but many of them are carried
greater detail. One might doubt wh«
ences were the result of an attempt to r.
attempt to condense, an original draught
fest that there was a common original
As an authentic cotemporary exposition ot the views
which brought AVinthrop and the whole Massachusetts
Company over to New England, and as unquestionably
prepared by himself, it belongs to his biography in the
amplest form in which it is foxmd among his papers.
We give it accordingly, as follows: —

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 309

w Reasons to be considered for ivstifieinge the undertakeres of the
intended Plantation in New England, Sf for incouraginge
such whose luirtes God shall move to ioyne u/* them in it.

w 1. It will be a service to the Church of great consequence
to carry the Gospell into those parts of the world, to lielpe on

^.the comminge of the fullncsse of the Gentiles, & to raise &
Bulworke against the kingdome of AnteChrist w ch the Jesuites
labour to reare up in those parts.

er 2. All other churches of Europe are brought to desolation,
& o T sinnes, for w ch the Lord beginnes allreaddy to frowne
upon us & to cutte us short, doe threatne evill times to be com-
minge upon us, & whoe knowes, but that God hath provided
this place to be a refuge for many whome he meanes to save
out of the generall callamity, & seeinge the Church hath noe

| place lefte to flie into but the wildernesse, what better worke
can there be, then to goe & provide tabernacles & foode for her

— against she comes thether :

w 3. This Land growes weary of her Inhabitants, soe as man,
whoe is the most pretious of all creatures, is here more vile &
base then the earth we treade upon, & of lessc prise among us

* then an horse or a sheepe : masters are forced by authority to
entertaine servants, parents to mainetaine there owne children,
:ill townes complaine of the burthen of theire poore, though we
nave taken up many unnessisarie yea unlawfull trades to maine-
tuine them, & we use the authoritie of the Law to hinder the
icrease of o r people, as by urginge the Statute against Cot-
tages, & inmates, & thus it is come to passe, that children,
servants & neighboures, especially if they be poore, are compted
the greatest burthens, w ch if thinges weare right would be the
cheifest earthly blessinges.

w 4. The whole earth is the Lords garden & he hath given it
to the Sonnes of men w to a gen 1 Comission : Gen : 1 : 28 : in-
creace & multiplie, & replenish the earth & subdue it, w** was
againe renewed to Noah : the end is double & naturall, that
man might enioy the fruits of the earth, & God might have his

810 ZATO AND UXTEBf

due glory from the creature : why then should we stand striving
We for places of habitation, etc, (many men spending as much
labour & ooste to recover or keepe sometimes an acre or twoe
of Land, as would procure them many & as good or better in
another Countrie) ft in the meane time suffer a whole Conti- •
sent as fruitfiill & convenient for the use of man to lie waste
w*out any improvement?

"5. We are growne to that height of Intemperance in all
exoesse of Riott, as hoe mans estate aDrnost will suffice to
keepe saile w** his fl&qualls : & he whoe failes herein, must five*
in scorne & contempt. Hence it comes that all artes A Trades
are carried in that deoeiptfall & unrighteous course, as it *
allmoet impossible for a good 4b upright man to mainetayne Us
charge & live comfortable in any of them.

"6. The ffountafoes of Learning ABeligiona^
• as (besides the unsupportable charge of there education) most
children (eyen the best witts & of fairest hopes) are perverted,
corrupted, & utterlie overthrowne fay the ilnultitude of efffl
examples ft the licentious governm* of those seminaries, where
men straine at knatts & swallowe camells, use all severity for
mainetaynance of cappes & other accomplyments, but suffer all
ruffianlike fashions & disorder in manners to passe uncontrolled.

w 7. Wha't can be a better .worke, & more honorable &
worthy a Christian then to helpe raise & supporte a particular
Church while it is in the Infancy, & to ioyne his forces w* such
a company of faithfull people, as by a timely assistance may
growe stronge & prosper, & for wante of it may be put to
great hazard, if not wholly ruined :

w 8. If any such as are knowne to be Godly, & live in
wealth & prosperity here, shall forsake all this, to ioyne them-
selves w" 1 this Church & to runne an hazard w tt them of an
hard & meane condition, it will be an example of great use
both for removinge the scandall of worldly & sinister respects
w** is cast upon the Adventurers ; to give more life to the faith
of Gods people, in their praiers for the Plantation ; & to incor-
rage others to ioyne the more willingly in it.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 311

ff 9. It appeares to be a worke of God for the good of his
Church, in that he hath disposed the hartes of soe many of his
wise & faithfull servants, both ministers & others, not onely to
approve of the enterprise but to interest themselves in it, some
in their persons & estates, other by their serious advise & helpe
otherwise, & all by their praiers for the wealfare of it. Amos
3 : the Lord revealeth his secreat to his servants the prophetts,
it is likely he hath some great worke in hand w ch he hath re-
vealed to his prophetts among us, whom he hath stirred up to
• encourage his servants to this Plantation, for he doth not use
to seduce his people by his owne prophetts, but comitte that
office to the ministrie of false prophetts & lieing spiritts.

"Diverse tbiectians w* have been made against this Plantation, vP
their answears Sf Resolutions:

w Ob : 1 : We have noe warrant to enter upon that Land
w** hath been soe longe possessed by others :

w Ans : 1 : That w ch lies comon, & hath never beene reple-
nished or subdued, is free to any that possesse & improve it :
ffor God hath given to the sonnes of men a double right to the
earth ; theire is a naturall right, & a civill right. The first
right was naturall when men held the earth in comon every
man sowing & feeding where he pleased : then as men & theire
Cattell encreased, they appropriated certaine parcells of Grounde
by inclosinge & peculiar manuerance, & this in time gatte them
a civill right : such was the right w ch Ephron the Hittite had
in the feild of Mackpelah wherein Abraham could not bury a
dead Corpes w^out leave, though for the out parts of the
Countrie w** lay comon he dwelt upon them, & tooke the fruite
of them at his pleasure: the like did Jacob, who fedde his
Cattell as bouldly in Hamors Land, (for he is said to be Lord
of the Countrie) & in other places where he came, as the na-
tive Inhabitants themselves : & that in those times & places
men accompted noe thing theire owne, but that w** they had
appropriated by theire owne industry, appeares plainely by this,
that Abimileckes Servants in there owne Countrie, when they

812 LIFE* AND LETTERS

* «

ofte contended w* Isaackes servants about welles w* they had
digged, jet never strove for the Land wherein they weare : '
Soe likewise betweene Jacob & Laban, he would not take a
Iddde of Labans w^out speaciall contracte ; but he makes noe
bargaine w* them for the Land where they fedde, & it is very
probable that if the Countrie had not beene as free for Jacob
as for Laban, that covetous wretch would have made his advan-
tage of it, & have upbraided Jacob w* it as he did w** his Oat-
tell: As for the Natives in New England, they inclose noe
Land, neither have any setled habytation, nor any tame Cattle
to improve the Land by, & soe have noe other "but a Naturall
Bight to those Countries. Soe as if we leave them sufficient
for their use, we may lawfully take the rest, ther$ being more
then enough for them & us :

" 2. We shall come in w* the good leave of the natives
who finde benifight allreaddy by o r neighbourhood, & leame
from us to improve a parte to more use then before they could
doe the whole : & by this meanes we come in by valuable pur-
chase, for they have of us that w 4 * will yeeld them more bene-
fight, then all that Land w* we have from them.

" 3. God hath consumed the Natives w* a great Plauge in
those parts, soe as there be few Inhabitants lefte.

w Ob : 2 : It will be a great wrong to o r Churche & Countrie
to take awaye the good people, & we shall lay it the more open
to the Judgm* feared.

w Ans : 1 : The departinge of good people from a Countrie
doe not cause a Judgment but forshew 01 it, w* 11 may occasion
such as remaine to turne from there evill waies, that they may
prevent it, or to take some other course that they may es-
cape it:

w 2. Such as goe awaye are of noe observation in respect of
those whoe remaine, & they are likely to doe more good there
then here, & since Christs time the Church is to be considered
as universall w^out distinction of Countries, soe as he that
doeth good in one place serves the Church in all places in regard
of the unity.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 313

"3. It is the revealed will of God that the Gospell should
be preached to all nations, & though we know not whether
these Barbarians will receive it at first or noe, yet it is a good
worke to serve Gods providence in offering it to them (& this
k fittest to be doone by Gods owne servants) for God shall
have glory by it though they refuse it, & there is good hope
that the Posterity shall by this meanes be gathered into Christs
sheepefould.

w Ob : 3. We have feared a Judgment a great while, but yet
4 we are safe, it weare better therefore to stay till it come, &
either we may flie then, or if we bee overtaken in it we may
well content o r selves to suffer w* such a Church as ours is :

w Ans : It is likely that this consideration made the Churches
beyound the Seas as the Pallatinate, Rochelle, etc, to sitt still
at home, & not looke out for the shelter, while they might
have founde it ; but the woefull spectacle of theire ruine may
teach us more wisdome to avoide the Plauge when it is fore-
seene, & not to tarry as they did till it overtake us. If they
weare now at their former liberty we may be sure they would
take other Courses for theire safty ; & though halfe of them
had miscarried in their escape, yet had it not beene soe misera-
ble to themselves nor scandalous to Religion as this desperate
backsliding & abiureing the trewth, w° h many of* the ancient
Professours among them, & the whole Posteritie w ch remaine
are now plundged into :

w Ob : 4 : The ill successe of other Plantations may tell us
what will become of this :

w Ans: 1 : None of the former sustained any great damage
but Virginia, w** happned through there owne slouth & secu-
rity.

w 2. The argument is not good, for thus it standee : Some
Plantations have miscarried, therefore we should not make any ;
it consists of particulars & soe concludes noethinge. We might
as well reason thus ; many houses have beene burnt by killes,
therefore we should use none : many shippes have beene cast
awaye, therefore we should content o r selves w 01 o r home com-

modifies & not adventure mens lives at Sea for those thinges
ir* we might live w*out : Some men have beene nndoone
by being advanced to great places, therefore we should refute
all preferment, etc :

*8» The firm te of any pnblike deaigne is not to be discerned
fcy the immediate sncoesse; it may appears in lame that the
former Plantations weare all to good use*
• * 4. There weare great & fundamental! errors in the former
w* axe like to he avoided in this : flfiar : 1 : their mayne end,
was Carnally not Religious: f. They used unfit* instruments, ,
^multitude of rude & mkgovemd persons, the very aesmtp*
of the Land: 3 : They did not establish a right forme of go-
vernment*

*Ob: 5. Bk attended w*mairjr 4 great difficulties :

w Ans: Soe is every good action; the Heathen could say
Ardwvirtutuvia, & the way of Gods Iringdome, w ch is the best
waye in the world, is accompanied w* most difficulties,
Straight is the gate, & narrow is the waye, that leadcth to life:
agatne the difficulties are noe other, then such as many tbyly
meete w*, & such as God hAh brought ^others well through
them :

w Ob : 6. It is a worke above the power of the under-
takers :

"Ans: 1. The wealfare of any body consists not soe much
in quantitie as in a due proportion & disposition of parts, & we
see other Plantations have subsisted diverse yeares & prospered
from weaker meanes :

w 2. It is noe wonder for great thinges to arise from smale
& contemptible beginnings ; it hath beene often seene in king-
domes & States, & may as well hould in townes & plantations.
The Waldenses weare scattred into the Alpes, & mountaines of
Peidmont, by small companies, but they became famous Churches
whereof some remaine to this day, & it is certaine that the
Turckes, Venetians, & other States weare very weake in their
beginninges :

" Ob : 7 : The Countrie affordes not naturall fortifications :

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 315

w Ans. Noe more did Holland & many other places w ch had
greater enimies & neerer at hand, & God doth use to place his
people in the middest of perills, that they may trust in him &
not in outward meanes of safety ; soe when he would chouse a
place to plante his onely beloved people in, he seated them not
in an Hand or other place fortified by nature, but in a plaine
Countrie, besette w* potent & bitter enimies rounde about, yet
soe longe as they served him & trusted in his helpe they were
safe ; soe the Apostle S nt Paull saith of himselfe & his fellow
labourours, that they weare coumpassed w* dangers on every
side & weare dayly under the sentence of death, that they might
learne to trust in the livinge God :

w Ob : 8 : The place affordeth not comfortable meanes to the
first planters, & o r breedinge -here at home hath made us unfitte
for the hardshippe we are like to endure there.

w Ans : 1. Noe place of itself hath afforded sufficient to the
first Inhabitants ; such thinges as we stand in neede of are
usually supplied by Gods blessing upon the wisdome & indus-
try of man, & whatsoever we stand in neede of is treasured up
in the earth by the Creator, & to be feched thense by the sweate
of o r browes :

w 2. We must learne w* Paull to want as well as to abounde ;
if we have foode & raym* (w** are there to be had) we ought
to be contented; the difference in the quality may a little dis-
please us but it cannot hurt us.

w 3. It may be God will by this meanes bringe us to repent
of o r former Intemperance, & soe cure us of that desease w *
sends many amongst us untimely to o r graves & others to hell :
Soe he carried the Isralites into the wildernesse & made them
forgette the fleshpotts of Egipt, w^ was some pinch to them at
first but he disposed it to their good in the end, Deu. 8 :
3: 16:

w Ob : 9. We must looke to be preserved by miracle if we
subsiste, & soe we shall tempt God.

w Ans : 1. They who walke under ordinary meanes of safety
& supply doe not tempt God, but such will o r condition be in

'316 UFE AND LETTERS

this Plantation, therefore the proposition cannot be denied ; the
assumption we prove thus, that place is as much secured from
ordinary dangers as many in the dvill parts of the world, &
we shall have as much provision beforehand as such townes doe
use to provide against a sage or dearth, & sufficient meanes for
raising a sufficient store to succeed against that be spent. If
it be denied that we shall be as secure as other places, we
answeare that many of o T Sea townes, & such as are upon the
, confines of enimies countries in the continent, lie more open
& neerer to danger then we shall ; and though such townes
have sometime beene burnt or spoiled, yet men tempt not God
to dwell still in them, & though many houses in the Couhtrie
amongst us lie open to robbers & theeves (as many have
found by sad experience) yet noe -man will say that those that
dwell in such places must be preserved by miracle :

w 8. Though miracles be now ceased, yet men may expeete
a more then ordinarie blessing from God upon all lawfuO
meanes where the worke is the Lords & he is sought in it ac-
cording to his will, for it is usuall w* him to encrease or weaken
the strength of the meanes as hfi is pleased er displeased w* the
Instruments & the action ; else we must conclude that God hath
lefte the goverm* of the world & comitted all power to the Crea-
ture, that the successe of all thinges should wholely depend
upon second causes.

" 3. We appeale to the iudgm* of Soldiers if 500 men may
not in one mounth raise a fortification w° h w* sufficient muni-
tion & victuall they may not make good against 3000 for many
mount hs, & yet w^out miracle :

w 4. We demand an instaunce of any Prince or State that
hath raised 3000 Soldieres, & hath victuald them for vi or viii
mounths w^ shippinge & munition answerable to invade a place
soe far distant as this is from any forraine enimie, & where they
must runne on hazard of Repulse, & noe bootie or iust title of
soveranitie to allure them :

w Ob : 10. If it succeed ill, it will raise a scandall upon o T
profession :

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 317

w Ans : It is noe rule In Philosophic much lesse In divinity to
ludge the action by the successe ; the enterprize of the Israelites
against Beniamin succeeded ill twice yet the action was good &
prospered in the end. The Erie of Beziers in ffrance & Tho-
losuge miscarried in the defence of a iust cause of Religion &
theire hereditarie right against the uniust violence of the Earle
Montford & the Popes Legatt : The Duke of Saxony & the
Landgrave had ill successe in the defence of the Gospell against
Charles the 5 th , wherein the Duke & his Children lost their
whole Inheritance to this day : The Kinge of Denmarck &
other Princes of the union had 111 successe in the defence of the
Palatinate & the Liberty of Germanie, yet their profession suf-
fered not w th their persons, except It weare w th the adversaries
of Religion, & soe it was noe scandall given."

The paper thus given is in the handwriting of Forth
Winthrop, who, as there is abundant evidence, was fre-
quently employed as a copyist for his father. Serious
doubts have sometimes been expressed, whether the elder
Winthrop was the author of this paper. Hutchinson
seems to ascribe its authorship to Francis Higginson. 1
The name of John White has also been given in connection
with it. Indeed, a copy of the paper has recently been
found among the Colonial Documents of Her Majesty's
State-paper Office, in London; on which is indorsed,
" White of Dorchester his instructions for the plantation
of New England." But this version is even more abbre-
viated and condensed than the one given by Hutchinson.
Meantime, we find an original draught of the earlier
portion of the paper, with marginal alterations and sug-
gestions, in the handwriting of the elder Winthrop,

1 Hutchinson's Collection of Papers, p. 24.

318

indorsed t{ For New England, May, 1629 ; " proving that
lie had it under consideration several months before it
was submitted to his son, and that he was probably pre-
paring it about; the time when he wrote the letter to his
wife, dated May 15 , 1629 (given in the last chapter),
which has so many sentiments and expressions in com-
mon with these Observations* We find, moreover, an-
other portion of the paper in Wintlirop's handwriting,
distinctly indorsed, '* Objections Answered, the fir$l
draught ; " together with still other autograph manu-
scripts of his, which were evidently preparations for the
same composition.

Undoubtedly, the paper was submitted to the consi-
deration of others interested in the enterprise to which it
related ; and it may have been altered and amended after
a comparison of opinions with the leading friends of the
movement- Copies of it were probably made in its ori
ginal shape, and sent to such men as White and Cradock
and Saltonstall and Isaac Johnson and Humphrey and
Higginson ; if Higginson, indeed, had not left England
before it was the subject of consideration. 1 These may be
the copies which found their way into Hutchinson's collec-
tion, or were communicated to the British archives from
the papers of White. But the testimony now furnished
by the family papers of Winthrop would seem to settle
the question, in default of any positive evidence to tihe
contrary, that the paper was prepared by him.

In confirmation of the idea that copies of the paper
were submitted by Winthrop to the consideration of some

* Higginson sailed in April, 1629.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 319

of his friends and neighbors, we give, next, an interest-
ing letter, without date, address, or signature, but in the
unmistakable chirography of Robert Kyece, of Preston,
in the county of Suffolk. Robert Ryece, says an old
manuscript in the Herald's College, relating to the anti-
quities of Suffolk, was " an accomplished gentleman, and
a great preserver of the Antiquities of this County. He
had his education some years in the house of Mr. Theo-
dore Beza, at Geneva. He set up in Preston the Royal
Arms of England, in a fair table, and in glasse the
names of the most ancient Knights and Esquires of
this County, of which the most remain this 25th of March,
1655." l

The letter contains a running commentary on the va-
rious heads of the paper last given, which had evidently
been submitted to him by Winthroji ; and concludes with
some friendly, though not altogether encouraging, sugges-
tions in regard to the New-England enterprise. But it
contains some other allusions also, which will require
further elucidation at its close.

Robert Ryece to John JVinthrop.

"For the fyrst tracte of the! : general articles.

w There is no wooirke deemed more lawefull & more requisite,
then y* platatio & establishinge of a true church : for y* propa-
gatinge of true Keligeo & y 6 christian faythe ; but yett in j*
due tyme & place, vr** a wary regarde of all necessary circii-
stances belonginge to the same, & w" 1 a due respecte to all

1 Ryece married Mary, the eldest daughter of Thomas Appleton, Esq., of Little
Waldingfield; and his Will, together with some account of his career, will be found in
the Appleton Memorial, privately printed, Boston, 1860, pp. 71-82.

320 LOTS AND LBTTBB8

future contingencies, that insteade of buyldinge there bee not
an overthrowenge.

w This service of reisinge, & setlinge a particular church, is
suche -a woorthie woorke, & carries suche a bewtifull pretexte,
that it doothe anticipate 7* awnswere to all obiectiona, & drawes
a concession for sondrye reasons averred. Yett 7* furtherance
of a particular church is not to be preferred before y* better-
inge of some smalle parte of a church allredy setled, that by
absence of wonted care & respecte, the same maye suffer a
defecte & diminution in recession. • ffor, for wante of wonted
assistaunce the state of y* church decayeth, w** in progression,
by p'sence of all the partes, prospereth.

"It is not denied, but y* newe church once truly settled in
y* due tyme A place, maye throughe a sympathie bothe of
nature & grace, bee ef more use & oomforte to hir moodier
church in future tymes of calamitie, thS suche who shee doothe
styll noryshe in hir owne bosome ; ffor it is y* conditio of y 9
church some tymes to wanze, not allwayes eminently to growe ;
' but sometymes to be ecclipsed in parte, darkened or persecuted;
when as it is iuste to seeke refuge for saftye, especiatty whew
safest hope may be founde.

w To leave a place of lesse consideration, for a charge of
greter consequence, imposed by y 6 generall callinge of j* better
sorte, maye no dowte be allowed, especially as thinges stande
heere at this daye, where y e inferiour magistrate, yf he be true
& stricte for y e due execution of his place, especially ag t6 pope-
rye, or ag to the common synnes of the tyme, is alltogeth* dis-
coraged & disco wntenanced.

w And so many instances may be given, how p r vate persons
of this kinde have iustely derelinquished there places, even w*
good successe, for y e comon benefyte & better service of God.

"ffor the second trade of: 5 ; perticuler respectes.

w If y 6 State of thinges be so farre gone, y l w^owte yo r
p r 8ence, the cheefe und r takers of this plantation, (men of g*
goodness, qualitie & wysdome) wyll no wayes stirre in this buy-

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 321

synes : And yf y* invitation of sondry devynes, m to deere unto
you, Juditious & of g to understandinge, w 01 y* calle of supreame
auc te , rectefyenge & awnsweringe all impedim* & obiections
whatsoev r , w ch was no wayes knowe to yo r friendes in these
partes, w** wyshed & prayed for yo r good, as entyrely and re-
spectyvelye as any others : there is no reason, & lesse con-
science, for a particular uncertayntie & an uncomfortable charge
heere at home, to omytte & overthrowe a woorke of so emi-
nente consideration & consequence abroade, wherein more ser-
vice maye be doone to God, y* conion benefyte & yo r owne
particular, w ch it were g te indiscretion to neglecte nowe y 6 doore
is opened, & were a g te forge ttfull unthankfullnes to the lorde,
to refuse imploym* in so hie an ordinace.

"And therefore yo r friends doe now rath r encorage yo" to
proceede, & do entreate the Allmightye Lorde of Hostes, to goe
w* yo u , to blesse & governe yo n in all yo r wayes.

w Somewhat breefelyc for the thyrde tracte.

n It is agayne acknowledged, there can be no woorke or ser-
vice of great r consequence, then to plante y e ghospell in y 6 remote
partes of y e woorlde, even for a Rebutter ag te Anchriste : &
y* more for that wee see, y l m te parte of y e protestante churches
of Europe are destroyed, where w^ if y 6 same lotte cometh upon
this lande, as longe synce hathe byn feared, how woonderfull is
y* 8 lorde in mercy e, that hathe reysed this newe plantatio, for so
comfortable a refuge, for all suche whom he hathe exempted
oute of that generall divastation, w 011 o r Synnes have so muche
deserved.

w This contrye riche in y* plenty of a longe peace, & full w a
j* surfetts of a contynewall ease, hathe longe synce growe weary
of hir InhTtants, especially y 6 poorer sorte, reputed but as y 6
burden of y e State. And indeede thinges are growne, to suche
a transcendente heighte of excesse in all intemperace & ryotte,
that no mas meanes are enoughe to keep sayle w* his equalls,
therein who so ever can not doe as oth r men doe, oh w to what
ocorne & contempte doothe he lyve in ? Now from this it be-

41

t wee see suche fraude <& deceipte in all artes & trades,

is 3emed allm tg impossible for a good & an uprighte ma t

?tayne his charge, & to lyre comfortably amonge any

pBMa

.gayne y* fowntaynes of all learmnge Religio, & y* wonted

*s for educatio of youthe, are so corrupted, & so ex*

!dbgly chargeable, y l the fynest wyttes of heste hope,

owghe infynite ill examples of debauched seminaries &

vernours, are utterly spoyled & ovcrthrowen.

"All this is confessed w 131 the reste of yo r argum 1 *, w** I for-

H fuith r to wryte, bycawse yMn suche a flour ishinge church

mon wclthe (as the blinde lightes of this lande do p r tende)

e every place mourn eth for wante of Justice, where y*

ige synnes goe unpouished or unreproved, crueltyc and

le is in o r strcctes, y d land aboundeth w th murthers, elaw^li-

Incestes, Adultery eg, whoredom, dronkennes, oppression

™-ide, where well doinge is not inayntayned, or y 6 godly

1, but Idollatrye, popery, & what so ever is evyll is

mcuanced : even the Icaste of these is cnowghe, & enowghe

^o make haste owte of Babylon, & to seeke to dye rather in y*

wyldernes then styll to dwelle in Sodome, Mesheck, & in the

tents of Kedar.

w And now bycawse I see a constante resolutio for this expe-
ditio, I praye yo u yett geve me leave, by waye of cawtio to
enforme yo 11 , what I have observed, fro others of g te Judgem te ,
wysdome, & longe experience in those remote affayres, not in
the leaste sorte to contradicte y* intention, but to make yo n more
warye to provyde for these difficulties.

w No sonner were thes partes discovered, but every one ear-
nestly called for platatio, in y° w** y* Margave had evermore a
cheefe hande, stirrige up auc te & Nobyllytie for y* glory of y -
Kingdome, & all godly well disposed persons to contribute, &
to collecte, many g te Sumes, w" 1 these bewtifull pretextes, y*
honor of y e Crowne to have newe accesses to y e same, y e en-
largem te of Gods church where y* christian faythe was never
yett preched, & the g te good of y* lande, to employe so many

OF JOHN WTNTHROP. 323

ydle heere at home, for trade & traffacke, whereas for there
owne particular benefyte, (w 011 was y* ende of all these allega-
tions, & w** hathe byn y 6 sole overthrowe of all these planta-
tions) they never once metioned. ffor there shall yo u observe,
yf y* Marchants sawe not p r nte gayne, Supplie promised was
eyth r totally denyed, or so longe delayed, that they were all
starved & consumed.

"Thay observed lykewise from y* beginninge of this dis-
coverye plantations often attepted, but never succeeded, unto
w* h it wylbe awnswerd, the hystories relate sondry cawses
thereof, of all w * the p'sente generatio wyll have good cawse
to bewarre. The evill happe of form 1 " fundamentall errors, may
not hinder y 6 successe of y 6 latter, ffor perfection of thinges
is not founded in y* beginnynges, but from y 6 beginninges men
proceed to those thinges w ch are perfectt.

"Thay suppose that untyl there bee, by more lengthe of
tyme, a setled State, w^ good hope of certayntye, for a quiett
enioyege of the same, from so neere & potente an adversary,
who ev r lysteneth & gapeth for nothinge more the when those
partes shall once become fytte for his praye, this is no tyme fytt
to adventure there for furth r plantation.

w But suppose y* lande peopled, y* comowelthe established,
o r lawes there setled for governm te , as it is heere at home. Hathe
not form 1 " experience showed, y* discotentcd myndes seinge a
Presidente of weake Judgem te in dangers, & lesse industry in
peace, w^ too hie a cariadge in his place, how soone he is dis-
tasted, eve w^ y e Cownsell, Soldiers & Mariners, upo y 6 suc-
cesse of proceedinges in y* Colonye, how he is cotemned, his
auc te not regarded, alledgege he hath no auc te in that place,
beinge no acquired, hereditary or coquered, setled, or estab-
lished place, as heere at home, & therefore the great 1 " nomber
procede to depose hy & to choose a newe Presidete : ffor inso-
lente cariadges in eminente auc te , ag 1 particular persons, may
ty longe patience be endured & by stregthe borne owte : But
>vhe errors towche the publicke, every member is sensible of
wronge, & putts his hande to his downefall.

324 LIFE AXT> LETTERS

"Tea y e Cownsell bo often deryded by factions, througbe
misgovcmm* 6 , whe weake Prcsidentes appoynte unskyllfuH offi-
cers in places w^ belonge to the who have spente longest tyme
in the service of those partes — whe y e harvest is not duly
gathered, the provision in store is moche spoyled or secretly
eoltle to the enemyes, when pryvate Soldiers for victualls do
sell there swoordes, there powd f & short, to trade w A the Sava-
ges, when others of lesse woorthe & regarde then hymsclfe, as
he deemeth, who never was acquaynted w u * those affayres, to be
advaunccd to the place of gov r m to , himselfe & his service so longe
tyme in those discoveries rejected, he murmureth, mutineth, &
secretly conspireth w^ p'vie confederates, for y e primacye.

H Therefore y* bestc direction of actions is cownsayle & wys-
dome to respeete ev r y one in his place*

" Whe throwghe y* Presidents improvidence, y* Store is not
wysely guyded or tymely renewed, from tradinge w** 1 the Sa-
vadges, and whe usuall snpplie of those partes of all vitualls &
neceasaryes comcth not eoone as was expected, this wyll brcede
at the leaste suspicion & infinite discutente, yf not anarchy* 1
ffor the neeessitie is neyth r ruled by lawe, nor overruled by
pow*, hir force is so g te , not only in y* passive resistance ag*
all harde Impressions, but in actyve & vyolente impetuositie,
that throwghe all obstacles and dayngers, she wyll fynde a waye,
or make it.

"Many in these partes havinge spente there estates, &
ashamed hecre to stryke sayle, have gone for this plantation,
thinkinge there for to lyve at a lower rate, w tt some thinge
remayninge ; but changinge only y 6 soyle & not y 6 cowrse of
these degenerate tymes, to waste all in drynke & Tobacco,
then when y* 2 hands can not feede one mouthe, nor clothe one
backe, then they soone starve & pyne awaye. And when the
Presidente & Cownsell admitteth suche to lyre there, as can
not woorke, but lyve ydlye, nor have any to woorke for them,

1 We have followed the ancient abbreviations in almost every word except this,
which in the original is "&'ch" ! We claim some credit for the translation; which is
obvious enough after it is once suggested, but certainly not before.

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 325

nor able there to compasse any meanes, whereupo lyve & sctle
hymselfe, What shall become on them ! Wysdome is not geven
to sytt styll, & to lyve ydlye, but it doothe directe to all ver-
tuous endeavoures. And Slothe & Idleness, w 4 * is the norsery
of all evill in a como wealthe, hasteneth y* ruyne & dissolucion
of y® wholl bodye & frame of y® State.

"To proceede furth r in this sorte were teadious, but to a
Judgem 1 so quicke & apprehensyve it is in vayne ; only where
so many dangers maye appere, to take y 6 leaste, ever dowbt-
inge what maye befalle : ffor in pollicie, dowbte is y® mooth r of
good successe, & he y* feareth the woorste, p'venteth it soonest.
Yf you doe well, I shalbe moste gladde. That yo u maye ever
do well, I beseeche y* allmighty. And when you have doone
well, I shall infinitely reioyce & prayse the lorde, to whose
blessed protection I ever more do leave yo n in all yo r waves."

Winthrop is entitled to the sympathy of posterity, if
all the responses to his communications about New Eng-
land were in as crabbed characters, and in as lukewarm
a strain, as this particular response of the Suffolk Anti-
quary. But the letter of Ryece is full of interest and
value, nevertheless, as furnishing unequivocal evidence
in regard to the papers submitted to his consideration.
There were evidently three " Tractes " communicated to
Ryece ; and they were probably the same in substance
with those which were sent to the younger Winthrop.
One of them was plainly the paper which has already
been given; to which Ryece refers as "the thyrde
tracte," and of which he quotes a part of the precise
language. The other two "Tractes" will be no less
readily identified as the two brief series of Conclusions,
which are found in Winthrop's own hand, and which are
here printed for the first time, as follows: —

LIFE AND LETTEES

Qenf Conclusions shewinge thai persons of good use hecre
in pubtike service) may be transplanted for Utc furtherance
mis plantation in N: E :

" 1 : It Is granted that the worke is lawfull & faopefull of
sceas for the great good of the Churche.
** 2 : It must be advaunced by persons , gifted (in some com-
;ent measure) suiteable to the worke.

w 3 : Every one who hathe meet gifts, hath not a will to the

S & no bonde of Conscience or other cornpulsarye call

-i ordinary ely be imposed upon such as have no minde to it*

"4: The service of raysinge <& upholdinge a particular

irehe is to be preferred before the betteringe some parte

i Churche already e established.

"5 : Of workes of the same kinde, that is most to be far-

■nd, which (by common intendment) is of largest extente*

3 ; The exercise of an Office of legse consequence, where-

any is putt by ordinarye callinge, may be lefte, upon the

eall to some other imployment of greater consequence J

especially where there followeth no violatio of the rule of

Righteousnesse.

w 7 : A future good, if it be greater, may be preferred before
a present good that is lesse : & in this respecte, the members
of that Churche may be of more use to their mother Churche
heere, than manye of those whom she shall still keepe in her
owne bosome ; so when the Churche in the Rev : 12 : was pre-
sented by the dragon, her sonne was taken from her, not
regarding so muche what losse she should have of him for the
present, as the future good he should be reserved for.

w 8 : It may be instanced in divers publike persons, & in
many others of great use, that have lefte the places where they
have been settled, & their changes approved.

" 9 : The takinge off a scandall from a wholl Churche &
Religion itselfe is to be preferred before the betteringe of the
same Churche : It is a Scandall to our Churche & Religion,
that professinge in all o r Plantations, the Conversion of those

OF JOHN WINTHEOP. 327

Barbarians, yet we declare to the world, that we Intende not
that, but o r owne profitt, in that we imploye not persons meete
for suche a worke, but onely such as are a burden to us, or,
for the most parte, suche as we can well spare, while the Pa-
pists in their like attempts, sticke not to send forthe of their
most able & usefull Instruments.

w 10 : Our constant practice in matters of like nature may be
a rule in this : for all forraine expeditions, we sticke not to
imploye of o r best Statesmen : & we grutche not to want their
service at home (though never so usefull) while they are im-
ployed for the good of other Churches abroad.

w Particular Considerations in the case of J: W :

w 1 : It is come to that issue as (in all probabilitye) the
wellfare of the Plantation dependes upon his goeinge, for divers
of the Chiefe Undertakers (upon whom the reste depende) will
not goe without him.

w 2 : He acknowledges a satisfactorye callinge, outwarde
from those of the Plantation, inwardly by the inclination of his
own hearte to the worke, & bothe approved by godly & iudi-
tious Devines (whereof some have the first interest in him) , &
there is in this the like mediate call from the Kinge, which was
to his former imployment.

w 3 : Though his means be sufficient for a comfortable subsist-
ence in a private condition heere, yet the one halfe of them
being disposed to his 3 : elder sonnes, who are now of age, he
cannot live in the same place & callinge with that which re-
mains ; his charge being still as great as before, when his
means were double : & so if he should refuse this opportunitye,
that talent which God hath bestowed upon him for publike
service, were like to be buried.

w 4 : His wife & suche of his children, as are come to years
of discreation, are voluntarylye disposed to the same Course.

w 5 : Most of his friends (upon the former considerations)
doe consent to his change."

328 LIPE AND LETTERS

One of these little " Tractes " must have undergone
some modification after it was submitted to Robert Ryece ;
as u the 7 : general articles " have become 10 in the copy
which has here been given. But t£ the Particular Consi-
derations in the case of J; W: w are plainly just what
they were when the Suffolk Antiquary referred to them
as M the second tracte of 5 : perticuler respectes," The
fourth of these considerations could hardly have been set
forth so unqualifiedly until after the younger Winthrop
had given his assent to the plan ; but. with this excep-
tion, there can be little room for doubt, that the papers
which have been here printed are substantially "the
Conclusions" to which he alludes in the admirable letter
at the beginning of this chapter* That letter could not
have faded to encourage the heart and confirm the pur-
pose of his father, at the most critical moment of his
deliberations on the subject ; and it is hardly too much
to ascribe to its noble spirit a very material influence on
the result which so soon followed. We shall see, that,
a few days only after it was received, the name of John
Winthrop (the elder) was affixed to the memorable
agreement, entered into at Cambridge, by twelve of the
leading friends of the Massachusetts Plantation, for em-
barking for New England, — "to inhabit and continue "
there. Winthrop's name stands ninth on the list of
signers to this agreement; the name of Sir Richard
Saltonstall being at the head. But the order of names
in the Massachusetts Eecords, so far as Winthrop is con-
cerned, will soon undergo a very marked alteration.

We must not bring this chapter to a close, long as it
is already, without exhibiting Robert Ryece, the old Suf-

OF JOHN WINTHBO*. 329

folk antiquary, in a more attractive aspect than that in
which he appears in the letter of his which has already
been made the subject of so much comment. He'seems
to have been consulted by Winthrop more than once in
regard to his purpose of going over to New England,
and to have written at least one other letter of remon-
strance. This second letter, however, while it earnestly
attempts to dissuade Winthrop from the enterprise, is
full of the kindest and most complimentary expressions.
Indeed, we should hardly know where to look for a more
striking tribute to Winthrop's character and consequence
at the period of his leaving Old England, or to the esti-
mation in which he was held by his neighbors of Suffolk
County, than is furnished by this letter of Robert Ryece.
Such passages as the following axe certainly full of sig-
nificance : '• The Church and Commonwealth here at
home hath more need of your best ability in these dan-
gerous times than any remote plantation." "All your
kinsfolk and most understanding friends will more rejoice
at your staying at home, with any condition which God
shall send, than to throw yourself upon vain hopes, with
many difficulties and uncertainties." " Plantations are
for young men, that can endure all pains and hunger."
" How hard will it be for one brought up among books
and learned men to live in a barbarous place, where is
no learning and less civility ! " *

1 We have modernized the spelling of these quotations, though we leave the letter
itself in its original form.

42

i

\ Woorshipfull Ma tuoche respected good friende Mr- Wynthrop
at Bury, geve these.

Snt, — Were I able to ryde so farre, I woolde wyllinuly

e attended you thia daye, not for the leaste abyllytie of any

vice which I ean performe, but to shewe the beste of ray

'don to so deaervinge a good fricnde. ffor the subiccte you

*tc of, breefely & playnelye to shcwe you my myude, what

er other saye, I pray you geve mee leave in one woorde to

© you. The Church & Common welthe heere at home,

more neede of your be&te abyllytie in these dangerous

es, then any remote plantation, which may be performed by

his of lesser woorthe & apprehension , which I coolde

s, yf I had tyme to thinke vpon diversities of reasons

mighte be produced. Agayne, your owne estate wylbe

tecured in the myddest of all accidents heere at home,

in this forreine expedition, which discovereth a 1000 sliip-

wrackes which may betyde. All your kynsfolkes & moste

vnderstandinge friendes wyll more reioyce at your stayenge at

home, with any condition which God shall sende, then to throwe

your selfe vpon vayne hopes, with many difficulties & vncertayn-

ties. Agayne, you shalbe more acceptable in the service of

the Hieste, & more vnder His protection whiles you walke

charely in your vocation heere at home, then to goe owte of

your vocation, corny ttinge your selfe to a woorlde of dangers

abroade. The pype goeth sweete, tyll the byrde be in the

nett ; many bewtifull hopes ar sett before your eyes to allewer

you to danger. Plantations ar for yonge men, that can enduer

all paynes & hunger. Yf in your yewthe you had byn ac-

quaynted with navigation, you mighte haue promised your selfe

more hope in this longe vyadge, but for one of your yeeres to

1 This letter is printed in the sixth volume, Fourth Series, Massachusetts Historical
Collections, pp. 392-393, for which it was furnished in advance of the publication of the
present volume.

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 331

vndertake so large a taske is seldome seene but to miscarry.
To adventure your wholle famylly vpon so many manifeste
vncerteynties standeth not with your wysdome & longe experi-
ence. Lett yonger yeeres take this charge vpon them, with the
advyse of that which elder yeeres shall directe them vnto, the
losse shalbe the lesse yf thay myscarry ; but there honor shalbe
the more if thay prosper. So lorige as you sytt at the helme,
your famylie prospereth, but yf you shoold happen to fayle,
your flocke woolde be at the leaste in hazarde, if not totally to
myscarrye. Yonge mens directions thowghe sometymes with
some successe, do not all wayes succeede. These remote partes
will not well agree with your yeeres ; whiles you are heere you
wyll be ever fytter by your vnderstandinge & wysdome to sup-
ply e there necessities. But if it shoolde happen that you
shoolde gett safely thither, you shall soone fynde, how neces-
sitie wyll calle for supplie from these partes. I pray you
pardon my boldnes, that had rather erre in what I thinke, then
to be sylente in that I shoolde speake. How harde wyll it bee
for one browghte vp amonge boockes & learned men, to lyve
in a barbarous place, where is no learnynge & lesse cyvillytie.
I beseeche the Lorde to jiirecte you, & to keepe you in all your
wayes. Thus in haste with the beste remembrance of my true
affection vnto you, I leave you to the protection of the All-
mightye and do reste

w Yours ever in all true affection

" Robt. Rtece.

"Preston, this 12 of Auguste, 1629."

This letter, it will be observed, bears date only a fort-
night before the memorable Agreement at Cambridge,
to which we have just referred. It was undoubtedly
written in reply to an invitation to attend a previous
meeting at Bury St. Edmond's for consultation upon the
same subject. Certainly, if John Winthrop made any
mistake in coming over to New England, the old Suffolk

332

HIE AND LETTEK8

antiquary stands fully acquitted of not having given him
seasonable and abundant warning of the error he was
about to commit. Nor can we altogether wonder at the
counsel which he gave, or at the opinions which he
expressed, A grave and prudent person, as Robert
Ryece seems to have been, would hardly have taken the
responsibility of advising a man of Winthrop's age and
standing to pluck up his stakes so summarily in his own
land, with a view of planting them again in a remote
and desolate wilderness. And even we, at this day,
might regard it as having been a step of more than
doubtful wisdom, did we not keep always in view the
motives by which it was induced, and the results by
which it was followed.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 333

CHAPTER XVH.

DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENCE. WINTHROP CHOSEN GOVERNOR OP
THE MASSACHUSETTS COMPANY. THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND
CHARACTER OF THAT ELECTION.

The earnestness and zeal with which the elder Winthrop
devoted himself to the New-England enterprise, after he
had once embarked in it, are abundantly manifested by
his letters at this period, and by those of his wife and
children. He was in London during a large part of the
month of October, 1629, busily occupied in the service
of the Massachusetts Company ; and he had little leisure
for writing to any one. But his brevity is full of signi-
ficance ; and whatever he enlarges upon has a special
interest and importance.

We give eight letters in the present chapter, six of
them new, as introductory to a consideration of Win-
throp's peculiar relations to the great cause to which his
life and fortunes were now so solemnly consecrated. One
of the letters is from his son John, and another from his
wife. The others are his own ; and the last but one of
them contains a modest and parenthetical allusion to an
important event, which had occurred on the very day on
which the letter was written. No letter in our collection
— none, certainly, among those which have recently come
to light — would have been less willingly spared from the
personal memoirs or the public history of its writer.

334 LIFE AND LETTERS

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" My dear Wife, — I praise the Lord that I hear of thy wel-
fare, and of the rest of our family. I thank thee for thy most
kind letter, and especially that sweet affection, from whence it
flows. I am sorry I cannot come down to thee, as I hoped ;
but there is no remedy. The Lord so disposeth as I must stay
yet (I doubt) a fortnight, but, assure thyself, not one day more
than I must needs.

"I pray thee have patience. God, in his due time, will
bring us together in peace. We are now agreed with the mer-
chants, and stay only to settle our affairs. I have not one
quarter of an hour's time to write to thee. Therefore thou
must bear with me, and supply all defects of remembrances.
The Lord bless thee, my sweet wife, and all ours. Farewell.

" Thy faithful husband,

"Jo. Winthrop.

" Send not up my horses till I send for them.

"October."

John Winthrop, Jr., to his FatJicr.

"Sir, — My humble duty remembred, hoping that you are
in health, as God be thanked wee are all hecre at this present.
I thought I should have come to you to London on Saturday
next, but because you wrote at the end of your letter to my
mother that I should not need come till tuesday, I purpose to
stay till then ; but we did not well understand whether my
brother Forth should need come up w th us to come downe w th
my aunt Fones, w ch you may please to certify my mother of
w ,h your next letters. I understand that my brother [Henry]
doth meane to rcturne from the Barbathoes w th the first occa-
tion, & then to goe w th his wife into New England. If he
returne so soone, his voyage will but gaine him expenses & bee
to noe purpose when he hath done for : except hee will continue

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 335

there, 1 (w** I thinke would be the ruine of his soule to live
among such company) , he must be forced to trust some frend
at his returne, w ch he may doe as well now, & may make his
estate as sure as any other merchants that are forced to com-
mit all to others trust. Besides he may this winter sell his
land & make provitions to goe w tt you in the Spring, or at least
to sende some stocke over, if my sister should not be ready to
goe so soone. Therefore I pray S r , if you see it fitting, coun-
sell him to stay, or if my counsell hath prevailed w 01 him, be
pleased to approve thereof. So desiring your praiers & bless-
ing I humbly take my leave & rest

" Your obedient sonne

"John Winthrop.

"Groton. Oct: 5: 1629.

w I pray remember my duty & love to my uncles & aunts,
w* my love to my cozens. My sister Winthrop 2 & my bro-
thers & sister remember their duty to you.

w I suppose if you please he may keepe it private."

John Winthrop to his Son.
" [To] his loving Son, John Winthrop, at Groton, Suffolk.

"Son, — I received your letter, and do heartily bless the
Lord for the continuance of your welfare, beseeching him to
sanctify you more and more, for his glory and your own salva-
tion.

" For the business you write of concerning your brother, I
have conferred with him, and shall be as glad as any of his stay
here, if he can take any good order for his estate there. What
he will do, I know not yet ; but I think he will be with you
soon. I would gladly have you here betimes next week ; but,
being it will be Monday sennight before we shall get forth of

1 At"theBarbathoes."

* This was the wife of Henry, to whom the suggestion* in the letter had reference.

will be chargeable to keep all the horses here eo long,

9, if you can find any company to come up with* yon

k& here on Tuesday or Wednesday ; otherwise, you may

y or two the longer, and let John come with you ; for

not have you ride alone, I have sent down all the late

m New England, I would have some of you read it

>ur mother, arid let Forth copy out the observations and all

follows from the gj*, and the letter in the end, and show

Mr, Mott and others, that intend this voyage. 1 Your

and aunts are all in health, and salute you and the rest of

Commend me to your uncle G. and A : and all the

our loving friends, that ask of roe. So, with my love

ssbg to yourself, your brothers and sister s salutations to

ung company, I end, and rest

* Your loving father, " Jo, Winthrof,

b 0, 1020,"

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"Octob. 9: 1629,

"My Sweet Wife, — We heare yet of no lettres from
Groton, w ch makes us to mervaile, & we shall longe to heare
how you all doe. I prayse God we are all heere in health, but
we are not like to gett out of towne before mundaye senight :
I wish my sonne John were heere before but that it wilbe verye
chargeable to keepe horses so longe in towne ; but if he can
light upon any good company, he maye come on mundaye or
teusday next, & John may bringe up the other horses on Sater-
daye.

" I sende thee herew 01 some papers concerninge N : E : when
thou lookest upon them, thou wilt beare w th the brevitye of my
lettres : I would have Forth reade the booke to thee : for the
loose papers let him write them out better, & then reade them.

1 Mr. Savage, in the Appendix to Winthrop's History of New England, from which
the letter is taken, says that this probably refers to the letters received a few days before
from Higginson. — See Young's Chron. of Mass., 285, ei uq.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 337

I would have him copye out so much of that in the booke, as
is from the hande in the [blank'] leafe to the ende, & shewe it
to Mr. Mott, my neighbo r Childe & others that have a minde to
N : E : especially that gratious lettre in the ende : w* 11 I wish
thee & the rest to reade seariously over. 1

ff This morninge I received thy sweet lettre ; I heartyly blesse
o r good God for the wellfare of thy selfe & all o r familye, & doe
much reioyce in thy love : I shalbe as loth to leave my kinde
wife behinde me, as she wilbe to staye ; but we must leave all
to the Lords good providence. I send downe by Jervais two
peeces of Lokerum, 26 : elles of one peece, & 18 : of the other,
cloth for a sute & Cloake for Forth : & for a night gowne for
thy selfe, w 111 bookes for the children. Lett me knowe what
triminge I shall sende for thy gowne.

w My sonne Hen : wilbe at Groton soone ; he is like to putt
of his business in Barbethe' & staye to goe to N : E : the occa-
sio comes from my sonne John, as by this lettre I send you may
appeare. The good Lo : dispose all for the best in his rich
mercye. The Lord blesse thee (my sweet wife) & all o r chil-
dren & familye. My brother & sister salute thee, & all thy
Companye. Farewell my good wife,

w Thy faithfull husband W J: W:"

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

"My deare Husband, — I received thy sweet and most
welcome letter very late this munday night, and doe blesse God
for thy helth and welfayre. I have hearde reade the Nuse from

1 This letter to his wife, it will be observed, bears the same date with the letter to
his son which precedes it; and they allude to the same " news from New England," and
to the same " papers concerning N : E: " In the footnote to the former letter, we have
referred to the opinions of Mr. Savage and Dr. Young, as to what these papers were.
We were at first not entirely without misgivings, that the "Observations" to be
copied by Forth were those which were given in rail in our last chapter: yet the rough
draught of a large part of that paper, in the Governor's own hand, indorsed " May,
1629," would seem inconsistent with such an idea; and we only allude to it to prove
that it has not been dismissed without consideration.

43

838 LtFE AXD LETTERS

N : E : and much reioyce in it, the good Lord still continue
hb mercy to that plantation, and blesse us in our intended pur-
pose that way. We see how the Lord giveth us his warent and
daly iocoragement that way ; wee may I hope trust him for a
blessinge upon us and ours ; For my sonne IL his stay from
Barbatus, if Ids pretence be good, it had bin pittye he should
have gon to have indangered the good of his soule* by beinge
partaker of the sines of the rest of that wicked Company : the
Lord I hope hath rowght some good worke in him* which I be*
seech him to confirme in his due tynie ; I have read my daugh-
ters good letter to Irim, and shall love hir the better whilst I
live. It is now late and bed time and I must bid thee good
night before I am wilinge, for I could finde in my hart to sit and
tii Ike with thee all night. Though I am a bad wacher, I could
wel spare a night* sleepe to doe any thioge for thee. I wififc
my meter F. ware at home, for Mary is sick and I fearc it will
prove the. snialc puxe or mesels or such like ; if she should doe
otherwise then well in hir mothers abcenee, it would be a great
grefc to me, but I leave to j iyr deerecion whether you will tell
hir of it or no, and so I bid thee farewell : the Lord keepc thee

" thy unworthy wife " M. W.

Cf I have not yet received the things you sent, when I see the
cloth I will send word what triminge will serve. I hope you
shall not nede to tell my sister Fones of M. sicknesse, it will
prove but the meseles at the most."

John W.inthrop to his Wife.
" To his verye lovinge Wife Mrs. Winthrop, the elder at Groton, Suff.

w My deare Wife, — I received thy sweet lettres w 4 * were
most welcome to me, & I doe heartyly blesse the Lorde for thy
wellfare. I am so exceedingly streightened in tyme, as I canot
write to thee w th any content ; I have been all this daye till 8 :
of the clocke this eveninge abroad about businesse, & yet have

OF JOHN WTNTHBOP. 339

dispatched but little : * therefore let not John come up w** 1 the
horses till Saterday next, for it wilbe mundaye senight before I
can come out of towne, or my sister Fones : she is well w tt the
rest of o r freinds & company heere, who all desire to be re-
membered to thee & the rest of o r companye. The good Lorde
blesse thee & keepe thee & all o n : so w** my best affections to
my most sweet wife, my love to my daughter, my blessinge
to all o r children & salut" to the rest & to all o r freinds, I
comende thee to the Lorde & rest

"thy faithfull husband "Jo: Winthrop.

"Ocro: 15.1629.

w We received the Boxe Ac, for w^ h we thanke thee."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To my verye lovinge Wife, M w Winthrop the elder at Groton, Suffk

" My deake Wife, — I am verye sorye that I am forced to
feed thee w tt lettres, when my presence is thy due, & so much
desired : but my trust is, that he who hath so disposed of it,
will supply thee w 01 patience, & better comforte in the want of
him whom thou so much desirest : The Lord is able to doe
this, & thou mayst expect it, for he hath promised it. Seeinge
he calls me into his worke, he will have care of thee & all o™ &
o r affaires in my absence : therefore I must sende thee to him,
for all thou lackest : goe boldly (sweet wife) to the throne of
Grace ; if anythinge trouble thee, acquainte the Lord w tt it ;
tell him, he hath taken thy husband from thee, pray him to be
a husband to thee, a father to thy children, a master to thy
householde, thou shall finde him faithfull : thou art not guilty
of my departure, thou hast not driven me awaye by any unkind-
nesse, or want of dutye, therefore thou mayst challenge pro-
tection & blessinge of him.

i The Records of the Massachusetts Company show that there was a General Court
held this day, at which Winthrop was present

340 LIFE AND LETTERS

* I prayse the Lorde I am In health & cheerful] in my course,
wherein I find God gratiously present, so as we expect, he
wilbe pleased to direct & prosper us. We have great advan-
tage because we have many prayers.

" Bee not discouraged (deare heart) though I sett thee no
tyme of my retume ; I hope it shall not be longe, & I will
make no more staye tlien I needs must.

n So it is that it hath pleased the Lorde to call me to a fur-
ther trust in this businesee of the Plantation, then either I ex-
pected or finde myselfe ntt for, (beinge chosen by the Company
to be their Governor). The onely thinge that I have eomforte
of in it is, that hecrby I have assurance that my charge Is of
the Lorde & that he hath called me to this worke : O that he
would give me an heart now to answeare his goodness e to me,
<fc the expectation of his people I I never had more need of
prayers, helpe me (deare wife) & lett us sett o r hearts to seeke
the Lorde, <& cleave to him alneearly,

K My brother & sisters salute you all : ray sonne remembers
\m dutye to thee, & salutations to all the rest. Comendc me
kindly to all o T frelnds at Groton hall, & to M r Leigh & hh
wife, my neighbo r Cole & his wife, o r freinds at Castleins & all
that love us. So the Lorde blesse thee & all o r children & com-
panye. So I kisse my sweet wife & rest

w thy faithfull husband w Jo: Winthrop.

" Octob : 20 1629.

" I would faine knowe if thou shalt be like to goe w to me, for
thou shalt never have so good opportunity. Let John enq r out
2 : or 3 : Carpenters : & knowe how many of o r neighbo™ will
goe, that we may provide shipps for them."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To his verye lovinge wife M™ Winthrop the elder at her house in

Groton, Suff.

"My deabe Wife, — I received thy most Irinde letter, &
doe blesse our good God for his gratious protection over thee

OP JOHN WINTHBOP. 341

& all our Familye, beinge. much incouraged by the daylye

experience of his goodnesse & providence, that he will continue

to be our God to the ende, & will carrye us safe through all the

difficultyes & dangers we may meet with in this enterprise. I

blesse his holy name, I was never in better health then at this

tyme, & my minde now well setled ; I wante only a thankfull

heart for so great favour. All in this familye are in health

also, & desire to be kindly remembered, viz : my brother &

sisters, to thy selfe & all with thee : my sonne John remembers

his love & dutye etc : Let John be heer with the horses on

thursdaye, that my sister Fones & I may be at home on Sater-

day through Gods assistance. My sister would have her cloke

& faurgard sent up. I have no leysure to looke after newes :

neither can I doe any thinge for Crabbe, my sonne beinge gone

home : So hoping to see thee shortly, to be refreshed with the

sweet comfort of thy wished presence, I commend thee & all

our children & family to the blessinge & protection of the Lord

& rest " Thy faithfull husbande

w Jo: WlNTHROP.
"Octob: 22. 1629.

n Commend me to all our freindes etc.*

And now, while Winthrop is once more at Groton,
seeking rest and refreshment from the cares and labors
which the business of New England has brought upon
him ; and while he is taking sweet counsel, not unmin-
gled with sadness, with the faithful Margaret, as to the
hopes and fears of their future pilgrimage, — we may
find an opportunity to consider the circumstances and
character of the office to which he has just been elected.
u So it is," says he in his letter of Oct. 20, " that it hath
pleased the Lord to call me to a further trust in this busi-
ness of the Plantation, than either I expected or find
myself fit for, — being chosen by the Company to be

342 LIFE AND LETTERS

their Governor." It will be interesting to examine briefly
into the nature of this public capacity, in which Win-
throp was about to embark for America.

At " a General Court* holden for the Company of the
Mattacbusetts Bay in New England at Mr, Deput/s
house, 1 on Tuesday, the 28th of July, 1629," after other
business had been disposed of, Matthew Cradock, the
Governor of the Company, "read certain propositions
conceived by himself; viz., that for the advancement of
the plantation, the inducing and encouraging persons
of worth and quality to transplant themselves and fami-
lies thither, and for other weighty reasons therein con-
tained, to transfer the government «of the plantation to
those that shall inhabit there, and not to continue the
same in subordination to the Company here, as it now
is."

In this not altogether grammatical, but entirely intelli-
gible paragraph, from the original Records of the Gover-
nor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay, is found the
first authentic suggestion of the memorable movement,
at the head of which John Winthrop came over (o
America.

The language of the paragraph sets forth, clearly and
exactly, the existing condition of things in the Plantation,
and the radical and almost revolutionary change which
was contemplated. The Government then existing in
New England is styled a Government " in subordination
to the Company here ; " namely, in London. It is pro-

i The Deputy was Thomas Goffe.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 343

posed, that this Government shall no longer be " con-
tinued " " as it now is," but that it shall be " transferred
to those that shall inhabit there."

The proposition of Gov. Cradock was altogether too
important to be acted upon immediately. "It occa-
sioned," as the Records inform us, " some debate ; but, by
reason of the many great and considerable consequences
thereupon depending, it was not now resolved upon."
The members of the Company who were present at the
meeting were desired to consider of it " privately and
seriously," " and to set down their particular reasons in
writing, pro et contra ; and to produce the same at the
next General Court ; where, they being reduced to heads
and maturely considered of, the Company may then pro-
ceed to a final resolution thereon : and, in the mean time,
they are desired to carry this business secretly, that the
same be not divulged." This suggestion of private and
serious consideration ; this demand for particular reasons
on both sides, set down in writing ; this solemn injunc-
tion of secrecy, — all indicate sufficiently that the Com-
pany were not ignorant how important and how bold a
%tep their Governor had submitted to them. It was no
mere measure of emigration or colonization. It was a
measure of government, of self-government, of virtual
independence ; and its adoption clearly foreshadowed
that spirit of impatience under foreign control, which, at
a later day, was to pervade not only the Colony of Massa-
chusetts Bay, but the whole American continent.

The General Court of the Company now adjourned, as
usual, for a month. They met again to consider this
momentous proposition, on the 28th day of August, 1629 ;

344 UPE AND LETTERS

but the interval had not been unimproved by those who
desired to have it wisely and rightly decided. It had
cost them, we may well believe, many an anxious hour
of deliberation and consultation ; and ? two days only
before the meeting of the Court, an agreement had been
finally drawn up and subscribed, which undoubtedly set-
tled the whole question.

This agreement (to which we have more than once
referred already) was entered into and executed at Cam-
bridge, beneath the shadows, and perhaps within the
very walls, of that venerable University , to which New
England was destined to owe so many of her brightest
luminaries and noblest benefactors. It bore date Aug, 2G f
1629 ; and was in the following words : —

The Agreement at Cambridge.

"Upon due consideration of the state of the Plantation now
in hand for New England, wherein we, whose names are here-
unto subscribed, have engaged ourselves, and having weighed
the greatness of the work in regard of the consequence, God's
glory and the Church's good ; as also in regard of the diffi-
culties and discouragements which in all probabilities must bet
forecast upon the prosecution of this business ; considering
withal that this whole adventure grows upon the joint confidence
we have in each other's fidelity and resolution herein, so as no
man of us would have adventured it without assurance of the
rest ; now, for the better encouragement of ourselves and others
that shall join with us in this action, and to the end that every
man may without scruple dispose of his estate and affairs as
may best fit his preparation for this voyage ; it is fully and
faithfully Agreed amongst us, and every one of us doth hereby
freely and sincerely promise and bind himself, in the word of a
Christian, and in the presence of God, who is the searcher of

.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 345

all hearts, that we will eo really endeavour the prosecution
of this work, as by God's assistance, we will be ready in our
persons, and with such of our several families as are to go with
us, and such provision as we are able conveniently to furnish
ourselves withal, to embark for the said Plantation by the first
of March next, at such port or ports of this land as shall be
agreed upon by the Company, to the end to pass the Seas,
(under God's protection,) to inhabit and continue in New-
England : Provided always, that before the last of September
next, the whole Government, together with the patent for the
said Plantation, be first, by an order of Court, legally trans-
ferred and established to remain with us and others which shall
inhabit upon the said Plantation ; and provided, also, that if
any shall be hindered by such just and inevitable let or other
cause, to be allowed by three parts of four of these whose
names are hereunto subscribed, then such persons, for such
times and during such lets, to be discharged of this bond. And
we do further promise, every one for himself, that shall fail to
be ready through his own default by the day appointed, to pay
for every day's default the sum of £3, to the use of the rest of
the company who shall be ready by the same day and time.

"(Signed) Richard Saltonstall, Thomas Sharpe,

Thomas Dudley, Increase No well,

William Vassall, John Winthrop,

Nicholas West, William Pinchon,

* Isaac Johnson, Eellam Browne,

John Humfret, William Colbron."

The leading proviso of this memorable agreement must
not fail to be noted : —

"Provided always, that before the last of September next,
the whole Government , together with the patent for the said
Plantation, be first, by an order of Court, legally transferred
and established to remain with us and others which shall inhabit
upon the said Plantation."

44

346 LIFE AND LETTERS

This was the great condition upon which Saltonstall
and Dudley and Johnson and Winthrop and the rest
agreed " to pass the Seas (under God's protection), to
inhabit and continue in New England,"

They were not proposing to go to New England as
adventurers or traffickers ; not for the profits of a voyage,
or the pleasure of a visit ; but " to inhabit and continue "
there. And they were unwilling to do this while any
merely subordinate jurisdiction was to be exercised there,
and while they would be obliged to look to a Governor and
Company in London for supreme authority. They were
resolved to carry 6t the whole Government" with them.

Accordingly, at the meeting of the General Court on
the 28th of August (two days after this agreement was
executed), Mr. Deputy, in the Governors absence,
acquainted the Court M that the especial cause of their
meeting was to give answer to divers gentlemen, intend-
ing to go into New England, whether or no the chief
government of the Plantation, together with the patent,
should be settled in New England, or here." Two Com-
mittees were thereupon appointed to prepare arguments,
the one "for " and the other " against " " the settling
of the chief government in New England," with instruc-
tions to meet together the next morning, at seven of the
clock, to confer and weigh each other's arguments, and
afterwards to make report to the whcjle Company. On
the next morning, at the early hour which had been
appointed, the committees met together, and debated
their arguments and reasons on both sides ; and, after a
long discussion in presence of the Company, Mr. Deputy
put it to the question as followeth : —

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 847

w As many of you as desire to have the patent and the gov-
ernment of the Plantation to be transferred to New England,
so as it may be done legally, hold up your hands ; so many as
will not, hold up your hands."

And thereupon the decision of the question is thus
entered upon the Records: —

"Where, by erection of hands, it appeared, by the general
consent of the Company, that the government and patent should
be settled in New England, and accordingly an order to be
drawn up."

At the next meeting of the General Court after that
at which this momentous resolution had been adopted,
held on the 19th day of September, 1629, the name of
" John Wynthropp " appears for the first time on the
Eecords of the Governor and Company of the Massa-
chusetts Bay in New England. It appears not, indeed,
as the name of one of those who were present at the
meeting, but as one of a committee, chosen by the Com-
pany, to consider of certain differences which had fallen
out, in the Plantation at Salem, between its worthy local
Governor, John Endicott, and two of his councillors,
John and Samuel Browne, and which were brought be-
' fore the chief government in London for adjustment.*

The first meeting of the General Court at which
Winthrop is recorded as having been personally present
took place on tha 15th of October, 1629 ; when he was
appointed one of a committee to arrange articles of
agreement between the adventurers in the joint stock in
England and those who intended to go over in person to

* Records of Massachusetts, vol. 1, p. 61.

348 LIFE AKB LETTERS

the Plantation. On the 16th, 19th, and 20th of the same
month, his presence is also noted on the Records of the
Assistants or of the Company*

Ob the last of these days (namely, the 20th of Octo-
ber, 1629)j the Governor (Mr. Cradock) "acquainted
those present that the especial occasion of summoning
this Court was for the election of a new Governor,
Deputy, and Assistants; the government being to be
transferred into New England, according to the former
order and resolution of the Company ; " and soon after-
wards, some other business having been previously
transacted, the Records proceed as follows: —

w And now the Court, proceeding to the election of a new
Governor, Deputy, and Assistants* — which, upon serious
deliberation, hath been and is conceived to be for the especial
good and advancement of their affairs ; and having received
extraordinary great commendations of Mr, John Wvxthrgf, 1
both for his integrity and sufficiency, as being one every (way)
well fitted and accomplished for the place of Governor, — did
put in nomination for that place the said Mr. John Winthrop,
Sir R. Sal tons tall, Mr. Is. Johnson, and Mr. John Humfry :
and the said Mr. Winthrop was, with a general vote, and full
consent of this Court, by erection of hands, chosen to be Gov-
ernor for the ensuing year, to begin on this present day ; who
was pleased to accept thereof, and thereupon took the oath to
that place appertaining."

Mr. John Humfrey was then, in like manner, chosen
Deputy-Governor ; and Sir Richard Saltonstall, Mr. Isaac
Johnson, Mr. Thomas Dudley, Mr. John Endicott, and
fourteen others, were chosen to be Assistants.

l The name of Winthrop is spelt three or four different ways in these Record*.
This very paragraph uses y in one line, and i in others. And so it is with other names.

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 349

Nothing could be more significant of the estimation in
which Winthrop was held by the Massachusetts colonists,
and of the importance which was attached to his embark-
ing with them as their leader, than the circumstances
of this election. He was a comparatively new comer
into their enterprise. His name was not with those of
Saltonstall and Humfrey and Endicott and Cradock and
Johnson, in the original charter of Massachusetts, signed
by Charles I. on the 4th of March, 1628-9. Nor is
there any evidence that he had been associated with
them as an adventurer in the joint stock of the Company :
while, as to any purpose of crossing the ocean as a
planter, we have seen him, only two years before, ex-
pressly advising his son against such a course ; and it is
hardly possible that he could have contemplated it for
himself. Yet now, when a great responsibility has been
assumed by the Company, and when a great step is about
to be taken in transferring the patent and the whole
government to New England, Winthrop would seem to
have been summoned in at once to their councils, and, at
the earliest practicable moment, to have been invested
with their chief-magistracy.

He said of himself, on the most solemn occasion, 1 a
few years after his arrival in New England, " I was first
chosen to be Governour without my seeking or expecta-
tion, there being then divers other gentlemen, who, for
their abilities everyway, were far more fit" This was
said, too, by him, in the very face of those who had been

* Letter of Winthrop to the General Court of Massachusetts, in vindication of his
Accounts, Sept 4, 1684. — See Savage's Appendix (B) to Winthrop's Hist of N. E.
vol. i. p. 474.

350 LIFE AND LETTERS

acquainted with all the circumstances of his election, and
some of whom, perhaps, would have been not unwilling
to convict him of having been ambitious of office and
power, He had used the same language, it seems, in a
letter to Ms wife, on the very day of his election.

It would be difficult, we think, for any one to review
the facts which have thus been given, without coming
to the conclusion, that there was something in the cha-
racter and capacity of John Winthrop which had inspired
peculiar confidence in the minds of those who were
engaged in promoting the settlement of New England,
and which led them to seek him out as the leader of
their enterprise. How far this confidence was justified,
we shall be able to judge as we proceed with his career.
Meantime, it is certain that his connection with the Mas-
sachusetts Company in their great emigration seems to
have been noted and remarked upon, in Old England
and in New England alike, as an event of more than
common importance and interest. Thus Sir Simonds
D'Ewes, in his Autobiography, 1 under date of 1634, in
describing the New-England Colonies, after a word or
two about previous emigrations, speaks thus: —

w Yet these chiefly then aimed at trade and gain, till about the
year 1630, in the spring, when John Winthrop, Esq., a Suf-
folk man, and many other godly and well-disposed Christians,
with the main of their estates, and many of them with their
entire families, to avoid the burthens and snares which were
here laid upon their consciences, departed thither ; where they,
having in the first place taken care for the honor and service of
God, and next for their own safety and subsistence, have, be-

i Vol. ii. chap. v. p. 116.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 351

yond the hopes of their friends, and to the astonishment of
their enemies, raised such forts, built so many towns, brought
into culture so much ground, and so dispersed and enriched
themselves, as all men may see, whom malice blindeth not nor
impiety trans verseth, that the very finger of God hath hitherto
gone with them and guided them."

And the following passage of the letter of Deputy-
Governor Dudley to the Countess of Lincoln, dated
Boston, March 12, 1630-1, bears a still more striking
testimony to the importance attached at the time, and by
those best capable of judging, to the fact that Winthrop
had become associated with the Massachusetts Com-
pany : —

w And the same year, (1628,) we sent Mr. John Endecott,
and some with him, to begin a Plantation, and to strengthen
such as he should find there, which we sent thither from Dor-
chester, and some places adjoining. From whom the same
year receiving hopeful news, the next year, 1629, we sent
divers ships over, with about three hundred people, and some
cows, goats and horses, many of which arrived safely.

w These, by their too large commendations of the country
and the commodities thereof, invited us so strongly to go on,
that Mr. Winthrop, of Suffolk, (who was well known in his
own country, and well approved here for his piety, liberality,
wisdom, and gravity,) coming in to us, we came to such reso-
lution, that in April, 1630, we set sail from Old England with
four good ships. And in May following eight more followed ; "
&c., &c.

Thomas Dudley, who, as we may find hereafter, was
not always disposed to regard Winthrop too favorably,
would thus seem to imply that his " coming in " on this
occasion was the very hinge of the great Massachusetts
movement.

LIFE AND LETTERS

We may add here, in the same connection, the notice
which was taken of the arrival of Governor Winthrop
and his Company by Nathaniel Morton, in his "New
England's Memorial," first published in 1669.

:

"1630. This year it pleased God, of his rich grace, to
transport over into the bay of the Massachusetts, divers hon-
orable personages, and many worthy Christians, whereby xlv
Lord began in a manifest manner ami way to make known
the great thoughts which he had of planting the gospel in thi*
remote and barborous wilderness, and honouring hb own way
of instituted worship, causing such and so many to adhere
thereunto, and fall upon the practice thereof; — among the
rest, a chief one amongst them was that famous pattern
of piety and justice, Mr- John Winthrop, the first Governor of
the jurisdiction, accompanied with divers other precious sons
of Sion, which might be compared to the most fine gold

In view of the various but concurrent testimony whicl
has thus been furnished, Winthrop may be exonerated,
we think, from any imputation of vanity, when he says
of himself, in his statement of the particular considera-
tions which induced him to join the Massachusetts Com-
pany, " It is come to that issue, as (in all probability) the
welfare of the Plantation depends upon his going ; for
divers of the chief undertakers (upon whom the rest
depend) will not go without him." 2

1 Morton's Memorial, pp. 157-8. The title of " first Governor of the jurisdiction/'
given to Governor Winthrop by Nathaniel Morton, in a work published as early u
1669, will not fail to be noted. Morton was at Plymouth, and eighteen years old, when
Winthrop arrived; and he continued in New England till his death. No belter autho-
rity could be adduced as to the contemporaneous opinion on a recently vexed question.
We may perhaps find occasion to refer to this subject again.

* In Winthrop's rough draught of this paper, the same idea is stated as follows: u It
is come to that issue, as, in all probabilitye, the wellfare of the plantation depends upon
my assistance : for the maine pillars of it, beinge gentlemen of high qualitye & eminent
parts, bothe for wisdom & Godlinesse, are determined to sitt still if I desert* them."

or JOHN WINTHROP. 353

CHAPTER XVin.

PREPARATIONS FOR NEW ENGLAND CONTINUED. LETTERS TO IN-
VITE CO-OPERATION, &o. DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENCE.

Winthrop allowed himself but a short time for his first
visit to Groton, after his election as Governor ; and his
mind must have been much occupied, even while there,
with his new obligations and responsibilities. Imme-
diately after his return to London, we find him preparing
a circular letter to some of the Puritan ministers of Eng-
land, to invite their co-operation in the enterprise to
which he was now pledged. There is, also, among his
papers, a rough draught of a note to his neighbor, Mr.
Gager of Little Waldingfield, inviting him to join the
Company as a sort of family physician. 1 We give these
letters just as we find them, — both of them without sig-
nature, and the first without address, but both throwing
light on the measures which were adopted by the Gover-
nor and his Assistants to provide for the spiritual and
temporal necessities of the Company over which they
had been called to preside. 2

i William Gager accepted the invitation, came over with Winthrop, and became a
deacon of the First Church at Charlestown, but died on the 20th September, 1680. He
was called by Gov. Dudley " a right godly man, a skilful chyrurgeon." Winthrop'*
Hist, of N. E., vol. 1, p. 84, and Savage's note.

3 Of the twenty-two letters in this chapter, seventeen are here printed for the first
time.

45

I

John WintArop and others to

"Sra, — We conceit you may have heard of the resolution
of divers of us to engage our persons & estates in the planting
a Colony in New England, for divers ends concerning the glory
of God & the service of his Church : Unto the furthering of
this worke we finde the Lorde strangely overwaying & enclming
the spirits of many of his servants to offer themselves willingly
unto him for this service ; only we want hitherto able & suffi-
cient Ministers to joyne with us in the worke : the reasons where-
of we finde to be the Conscience of the Obligation by which
they stand bound unto this Church for the service in which most
of them arc imploycd ait present, & want of a sufficient calling
unto the employment for which we desire them. Wherefore
that we may in all things submitt ourselves to be guided by the
will of God in a worke of soe great importance, we resolve not
to leave to our owne Wisdome the choyce of the men whom we
desire for this worke, & for y* cause earnestly request the assist-
ance of divers godly Ministers to judge of the persons & corses
of such of their brethren of the Ministry whom we shall desire
to single out for this employ*. We doe therefore earnestly
desire, & in the name of God as you tender the furtherance of
soe great a service, require, your assistance for Counsell &
direction in this weighty Cause : and entreate you for j l pur-
pose to afford us your presence in this Citty the ninthe day of
November, to joyne with such other of your brethren as we
shall likewise request to be present heere att the same time for
y* same busines. We assure ourselves of your readines to
answer our desire herein, & therefore expecting your presence
heere att that time, in the meane & for ever we commend you
to the grace of God resting

"Your very loving freinds

"London. Octob: 27 1629."

Or JOHN WLNTHKOP. 355

John Winihrop and others to William Gager.

" To our loving friend Mr. Gager at little Waldingfield in Suffolk.

"Sin, — Beinge informed of your good inclination to the
furtherance of this work which (through the Lords good provi-
aence) we are in hand with for the establishing of a Churche in
N : E : & haying sufficient assurance of your godlinesse &
abilityes, in the arte of chirurgerye, to be of much use to us in
this worke ; being informed also, that the place where you live
dothe not afforde you such sufficiente & comfortable imployment
as your giftes doe require, we have thought good to coffer you a
call to joyne with us, & become a member of our familye :
your entertainement shalbe to your good contente ; if you like
to accepte this motion, we desife you would prepare to goe with
us this springe. If you come up to London we shal be readye
to treat further with you, & so with our hearty salutations we
commit you to the Lord & rest

"Your loving friends "

We give next, in the order of date, two of the Go-
vernor's letters to his wife, and two of her replies, which
will tell their own story, without preamble or explana-
tion.

John Winihrop to his Wife.

u To his very loving Wife, Mrs. Winthrop the elder, at Groton, Suffolk.

w My dear Wife, — I must needs write to thee by this
bearer, though I can write little in regard of my much business.
I praise God, I came safe hither, where I found all in health,
and so (through his mercy) we continue. I have sent down
my horses, because I am like to stay somewhat longer than I
made account of; but I shall make what haste I can back.
Here is much news : Divers great personages questioned and

356

UFB AND I-ETTEKS

committed ; but the cause yet uncertain- St, Christopher's is
taken by the Spaniard, and the English there honestly sent
home. The same is reported of the Barbethes, but not so cer-
tain ; but, if it be, the people are all safe. Some would dis-
courage us with thia news ; but there is no cause, for neither
are we in the like danger : and, besides, God is with us, anj
will surely keep us, I shall take time to write to thee again in
the end of the week, So, for this time, with all our hearty
salutations to thyself, my good sister Fones, and the rest of
our friends, with my love and blessing to all our children,
cummend thee to the Lord, So I kiss my sweet wife, and

• Thy faithful husband, tt Jo, Wranmop,

"November 11 s 1629,

n My son remembers his duty \o thee and his aunt, and lo*

to all, etc."

Margaret Winthrap to her Husband.

w My deaee Husband, — I knowe not how to expresse my
love to thee or my desyres of thy wished welfayre, but my hart
is well knowne to thee, which will make relation of my affec-
tions though they be smalle in apperance : my thoughts are
nowe on our great change and alteration of our corce heare,
which I beseech the Lord to blesse us in, & my good Husband
cheare up thy hart in the expectation of Gods goodnesse to us,
& let nothinge dismay or discorage thee ; if the Lord be with
us who can be against us : my grefe is the feare of stayinge
behinde thee, but I must leave all to the good providence of
God. I thank the Lord wee are all heare in reasonable good
health, I receved a letter since you went from my sonne
John, w * brout good Nuse from NueE: I pray thanke him
for it, I wil rite to him if I have time, & thus with my best
respect to thy selfe, brother & sister D : I commit you to God
and rest

* Your faythfoll wife w Mabgabet Wintheofb.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 357

"Your servante remembers hir service to you, our sonnes &
daughters remember there duty. You shall receive by Smith
the caryer a rundelet of syder, the carage is payed, if you like
it send for more."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My sweet wife, — I received thy most kinde Lettre, &
blessed be o r good God that giveth us still cause of reioycinge
in the newes of each others wellfare, & of those w* h are deare
to us : & blessed be God, who hath given me a wife, who is
such a helpe & incouragem t to me in this great worke, wherein
so many wives are' so great an hinderance to theirs : I doubt not
but the Lorde will recompence abundantly the faithfullnesse of
thy love & obedience, & for my selfe, I shall ever be mindfull
of thee, & carefull to requite thee.

tf Our businesse comes so fast upon us heer, as I canot yet
appointe when I shall returne, but I will make what hast I
maye.

" I would have my daughter M : come up in the ende of
next weeke, I hope to come downe the weeke followinge : I
thinke it would be good for my sonne H : to come up w 1 * her,
that he may looke after his men & provisions w° h were to goe to
the Barbethes. Let John speake w** Cole the constable of
Boxford & tell him, that I have gotten a place for his kinsman
w** Sir Richard Saltonstall, who will entertaine him presently if
he will come up. Let John or my sonne Hen : speake to
Holder to lett alone the timber till I come home.

w Our freinds heer salute thee & all w 1 * thee. Comende my
love to my good servant, & tell her, I think I must be forced
to write to her this weeke ; if M r Payinter come downe, he is a
reverend man & a good preacher, let him be kindly entertained,
he will preach w to you if he come. The good Lord be vr* thee
(my deare wife) & blesse thee & all o™, so w** wonted saluta-
tions I rest

w thy faithfull husband w Jo : Winthrop.

•'Nov: 12 1629."

Margaret Winthrop ta her Husband*

w Mt deabb Husband, — J reloyce in thy welfayre, & m
the expectation of thy presence w^ I hope shortly to enjoy. I
send up my daughter M. somewhat the soner by reson of Mr.
P. cominge up, and would pray thee to send word this weeks
when I shall send up thy horsses. I pray make what hast you
can for the hart of your good servant is fallen so loe, that she
eay m if you doe not com home presently you will never lift it
up agayne. But I think hir desyre m that she may confir with
you about Mr, P. whome I thinke she will scarce have power
to deny. He preached with us the last Lords day and did very
welL He seemeth to be a very godly wise man, but I am sure
my sister will not make any promise tOl she hath confired with
thy selfe and the rest of hir fronds. Coles kinsman shal come
up next weeke* Kingesbery will goe for N : E : his wife and
two children. You must pardon me that I am so short in
righting to you, for my affections are longe enough if I had
time to expresse thein, But I must leaue thee for this time,
beinge in hast. Desyringe the good Lord to prosper all thy
businesse and affayres and send us a comfortable meetinge, I
commend my best love to thee and commit you to the Lord
and rest

"Your faythfull and obedient wife

"MABGABET WeNTHBOPE."

The allusion to Mr. Painter, in the two last of these
letters, furnishes a fit occasion for introducing two letters
which Winthrop received about this time from his sister-
in-law, Priscilla Fones. The second of them has par-
ticular reference to Mr. Painter, whom, nojbwithstanding
the reluctance which she expresses to change her con-
dition, she soon afterwards married. There is something
peculiarly quaint and pretty in the coyness, not to call it

or JOHN WINTHROP. 359

coquetry, of the second letter ; and we shall catch still
another glimpse of it, before she finally yields to the
importunity of her worthy and reverend suitor. 1 Her
first letter has no date, but must have been written a
month or two before the second.

Priscilla Fones to John Winthrop.

"To the right Wor 11 her verie lovinge brother John Winthrop Esq.
these be dd at his house in Groton.

"My good brother, — I was kindly salluted with a letter
from you which cam to my hands that day. eenet I cam to Sut-
ton, & was not a littel wellcom to me. I would gladly have
returned you thankes for it before this time, but that I could
not hear of any messenger to send by all the while I was at
Sutton, which bred me much grife & troubel of mind in the
midst of all my comforts, & more would have done had I not
bin well perswaed d that your love would judge the best of me.
My absence from you hath bin now much longer then I in-
tended, my father being so loth to part with me ; & truly it was
no easie thing for me to part with such a father, having not bin
with him in ten yeres before ; but now throughe Gods goodnes
I cam safly to London on Saterday last, whear I thankfuly
recaived your loving letter, which did much refrech me after my
weary jurny. I had a purpose then to have sene you this
weke & did much reioyce in the hope I had of inioying your &
my good sisters compeny, with my pore children whom I much
long after ; but before I could take my fill of these thoughts, that
heavi nuse of your going for new England cam to me. How
much grife it hath cost me I spare to relate at this time, but I
see the Lord is about to take away my props that I may wholy
rely upon himself. These nuse hath made me now to looke out
for a house which I intended not before, & so my coming is

1 Rev. Henry Painter, of Exeter, was one of the Assembly of Westminster Di-
vines, 1644-6.

360 LIFE AND LETTERS

defered till the next weke : in the meane time I earnestly crave
your prayers, & so with the remembrance of my best love
affections to your sclfe, my good Bister, all yours and mine
take my leave of you for this time & rest

" Your very loving sister " Puis* Foxes.

■ave

and

*I would faine have written to my daughters, but time is

[very precious with me in London. I pray remember me to

them both and to my maid whose care of my pore Mat I shall

not forgit."

Priscilla Form to John Wintkrop*

"To the right Worshipfull my very loving brother John Wint
esquire London.

w My dere brother, — Such id my love to you & my
respect of you as I cannot but take kindly from you this motion
of which I was desierous never to have heard more of.
as well as I could indure to spake of such a buanea* I intrated
your help to that end when I parted with you; but see my
answear toko not that efect which T dod dealer, which hath bred
me much grife & troubel of mind, my selfe being very fearfull
to chang my condition. All my friends perswade me it will be
best for me to chang, but myselfe hath no hart to it. In the
man I see that which I chefly ame at in a husban, which is
grace & godlynes with gifts sutabel to his calling ; though in
outward estate he corns short of any that hath bin yet moved
to me. These things, with his importunity & paines in coming
bo fare, hath bred such destraction in my mind as truly I know
not what to doe, but mine eis are towards the Lord for derec-
tion in this waity busnes. Good brother help with your prayers
& best advise, for I have now cast myselfe uppon you & my
father & M r White, to whom I pray make knowen this busnes
& crave his councel in it. I have only given him this answer,
that I will doe nothing without the advise of my freihds. Good
brother I know your love to be such towards me as I shall not
nede to intreat your care in this, but now my request to you is

Or JOHN WINTHROP, • 361

that yon would make all the hast home you can, for we all long

for you. Myselfe which could not so prise the benefit of your

good company as I ought, have now lyned to prise it by the

want of it. The Lord give me grace to make beter use of it

when he shall be plased to restore it to me againe — and thus

with remembrance of my best love and sends to yourselfe, my

good brother and sister, and the rest of my frinds, I comit you

and all your affares to the Lord & so I rest

w Your ever loveing sister and faithful servant

w Pri8. Fones.
"november 17."

It is not a little odd, that, on the very same day on
which Priscilla was thus writing so interesting a letter to
our Governor in regard to a proposed matrimonial ar-
rangement of her own, his son Forth should also have
been engaged in addressing him a similar epistle in
regard to his affection for his cousin Ursula, Priscilla's
daughter. 1 The Governor must have had his hands full,
when these two appeals for advice and counsel, on the
tenderest domestic topics, reached him at the same
moment, and in the midst of all the occupations and
consultations in which the business of New England had
involved him. But Forth's letter is too {food and too
characteristic to be lost. It is at least worth preserving
as an illustration of the deference which the young men
of that day paid to the opinions and wishes of their
parents. Forth, be it remembered, had now finished his

1 Ursula Sherman has sometimes been supposed to have been a daughter of Rev.
Henry Painter by his first wife ; but Forth speaks of her as his cousin, and as his Aunt
Fones's daughter, before the marriage, or even the engagement, of Priscilla Fones to
Painter. She must have been a daughter of Priscilla by a husband, before Fones,
whose name was Sherman.

46

collegiate course, and was nearly twenty-one years of
age- We shall see but too soon what was the end of all
his plans of domesticfcappiness.

Forth JVinthrop to hi* Father*

" Most lovbtge father, — The consideration of that
saying litera nan erubescunt t hath moved me to cause you to
understand that by letters, vf^ bashfuUnesac would not suffer
me to utter 9 but sealed up my mouth in silence. The heathen
could my Tu nihil invittt dice$> fmkwe Mynervd. I would be
loath soe far to violate the lawes of nature or infringe the prae-
cepts of nurture & education, as to undertake any enterprise
of moment w^out ytf leave, knowledg, consent, & license.
That therefore I may have yo* couneell & direction I desire
that from me you may understand, that I doe beare affection
in such sort as God may approve, & w 111 yo r agreem* may in
time blesse w lh bis holy ordinance of Manage* to my cosen
Ursula, my aunt ffones her daughter, yet have I made noe
mention of any such thing, nor till I shall koowe yo r w3J,
pleasure & advice heerin, will I. To yo 1 " wisdome therefore doe
I most humblye submitte myselfe, & earnestly desiring yo*
prayers, that God may direct me for the best, I shall awaite
the expectation of yo r couneell, instruction, & direction, -what
best you in yo r wisdome shall see most fittinge for me to be
done or lefte undone ; & soe committinge this to you & you to
the protection of the allmighty, w* my most humble duty
remembred to yo'selfe, my Uncle & Aunt Downing, w* my
love to my cosens, I rest & remaine

w Yo r Obedient Sonne

w Forth Winthrop^

" ffrom Geoton Novemb : 17, 1629."

We come next to another letter which is without^
address, and some portions of which are supplied witb»-
difficulty, but which again exhibits the zeal of the Goy-*~

OF JOHN WINTHBOP. 363

ernor in urging the cause of New England upon all who
were within the sphere of his influence. It would seem
to have been written to some humble dependant or tenant
of his, whom he designed to enlist in the great emigra-
tion which he was preparing to conduct. It will be
followed, without further explanation, by two more
letters to his wife, which tell their own story sufficiently.
The allusion to his friend " Mr. Cotton, of Boston," in
the postscript to the second of them, will not escape
observation.

John Winthrop to

" I expected to have seene you at London and imparted that
to you by conference w^ cannot be done by Lettres, but better
thus then not at all. I suppose you have heard howe it hathe
pleased the Lord to dispose of me, for my transplanting into
New England & making me to longe to sett down there. If I
could meet w* you, I doubt not I could give you good satis-
faction, & perchance I would convince or would perswade you
to goe w* us, if you would yield yo'selfe to be informed of the
cause of the work, & then let God dispose yo r minde as he •
please. If you come up to London, when I am not there, I
wish you would repaire to one Mr. Nowell a merchant in
Philpott lane at the house where S r Tho : Smithe sometymes
dwelt, & let him knowe that you come from me, & he will
acquaint you fullye w tt all thinges : I heare you are removinge
from Stewards ; l I would desire you therefore, that such hang-
ings as I lefte there, w 011 are worthe the removinge, you would

l The manor of Stewards, in Romford Town Ward, Essex, about twelve miles from
London, was the birthplace of the celebrated Francis Quarles, author of the Emblems,
in 1692; and is believed to have continued in his family at least until his death, in
1644. — Excursions through Essex, vol. L p. 168. It would seem, from this letter, as if
Winthrop had once occupied apartments at this place, or some other bearing the same
name, perhaps in order to be nearer London for the practice of his profession and the
discharge of his official duties. — See his letter of Feb. 25, 1627 ; ante, p. 152.

V

364 LIFE AK1> LETTERS

ecnde them up to me, if you have no use of them, & for the
other householde I Iefte> give me for them what you please. I
am heare full of businesse, & canot write a£ I desire, onelye
knowc, that I doe earnestly desire (if it may be the Lords
good pleasure) to have yo r company into N : E : 8c o T good
Dames (who may be of great use there), & so \v ih my hearty
salutations to you both, I eonieude you to the Lonle, & desiringe
yo r prayers I rest

fr Yo r assured friend " Jo : Wintheof,

*■ London Hoy* 20; 1029."

Jofm Winihrop to hh Wife.

"Mr beake Wife, — I blesse o r good God for the continu-
a»ce of thy wcllfare & the rest of o r familye* & for his good
providence & mercye towards us in all o r affairs : I thank e thy
sweet heart for thy kinde lovinge Lettre, & doe Jonge as much
to be w tt thee, as tliou dost to enioye me, the Lorde in his
good tyme will bring us togrther w th comfort, as he hath done
orte heretofore : Let my horses be sent up on baterdaye or
mundaye come senight, except I write to the contrarye in the
meane tyme, for I will make what hast I can.

w Comende me to my brother Jennye, etc, & excuse my not
answearinge his kind lettre for wante of leysure, & and so for
my neighbo r Child, if he come to you.

" My businesse dothe so take up both my tyme & thoughts as
I' canot expresse myself to thee as I desire, but I knowe thou
wilt beare w 111 me, — so vr* all lovinge salutat 8 to thy selfe, to
all o r good freinds w 111 thee, & my blessinge to all o r children,
thankinge the Lord for the recoverye of o r Sam 1 , I comende
thee & all o™, & all o r Affaires to his grace & good providence.
So I kisse my sweet wife & rest,

ff thy faithfull husband " Jo : WiNTHKOP.

"London Nov*: 20. 1629."

Or JOHN WINTHROP. 365

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My Deare Wife, — Blessed be the Lord o r good God,
that I still heare of the health of thee & o r family e, & that he
is pleased to continue health & peace to us heer. I have no-
thinge to write to thee of, but havinge so fitt opportunitye, I
could not let it passe w%ut a lettre to my best beloved : I know
thou wilt consider how it is now w* me in regard of busiriesse,
w 011 so takes up my tyme & thoughts, as I can no more but let
thee know that I have a desire still to be writinge to thee ;
though I canot expresse my love so largly to thee as I was
wonte to doe : I hope (if God will) to be w th thee the begin-
ninge of next weeke ; therefore let John be heer vr 01 my horses
on Saterdaye. All o r freinds heer salute thee : Comende me
kindly to my good servant, & all o r freinds : The Lorde blesse
thee & all o r children & companye : So I kisse my sweet wife
& rest

w thy faithfull husband, * Jo : Winthrop.

"It may be M r Cotton of Boston will come see thee on
thursdaye or fridaye. Gett him to staye a night if thou canst.

••London Novemb: 24. 1629."

Winthrop presided at the General Court of the Massa-
chusetts Company in London on the 30th of November ;
and was doubtless at home a few days afterwards, agree-
ably to the promise in the letter just given. As the
records of the Company show that he was absent from
the meeting held on the 15th of December, he probably
spent his last Old-England Christmas holidays with his
wife and children at Groton Manor. At any rate, we
hear nothing more of him until the middle of January ;
when the following letter to his wife, evidently from

L

London! implies that he had been there for some time,
and that he was proposing to return home again the next
week : —

John Winihrof to his Wife*

"Mr deab Wife, — I have many things to thank thee far
this week, — thy most kind letter, fowls, puddings, etc, ; but I
must first thank our heavenly Father, that I hear of thy health
and the welfare of all our family ; for I was in fear, because I
left thee not well. But thus is the Lord pleased still to declare
his goodness and mercy to his unworthy servants, Oh that we
could learn to trust in him, and to love him as we ought 1

"For my care of thee and thine f I w^ll say nothing. The
Lord knows my heart, that it was one great motive to draw me
into this course. The Lord prosper me in it, as I desire the
prosperity of thee and thine. For this end, I purpose to leave
£1500 with thy friends, if I can sell my lands, which I am now
about, but as yet have done nothing. I purpose (if God will)

foe at home the next week. I am forced to keep John here
for my business, which now comes so heavy upon me, as I can
spare no time for aught else. The Lord in mercy bring us well
through all our troubles, as I trust he will. Thou must bear
with my brevity. The Lord bless and keep thee, and all our
children, and company. So I kiss my sweet wife, and rest
w Thy faithful husband,

w Jo. WlNTHKOP.

"My brother and sister salute you all. Let the cow be
killed against I come home ; and let my son Henry provide such
peas as will porridge well, or else none.

44 January 15, 1629."

And now we have a letter of a widely different charac-
ter from all which have preceded it. It is from John
Winthrop, jun., to his father, giving an account of some
labors and experiments of his own in the service of the

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 367

Massachusetts Company. It begins with an allusion to
his having been engaged in taking the dimensions of a
fort near Colchester, and of his having made a perfect
plot of it. 1 The letter then proceeds with an elaborate
account of a windmill, which the younger Winthrop had
invented for the benefit of New England. We dare not
pronounce on the scientific merits or the practical value
of the invention ; nor do we know whether such a wind-
mill was ever set up by its inventor, either in Massa-
chusetts or Connecticut. We certainly doubt whether
this letter would have established the claim of its writer
to be enrolled (as he was about forty years afterwards)
among the founders of the Royal Society ; but it affords
a pleasant illustration of the earnestness with which he
exerted whatever ingenuity or skill he possessed, for the
one great end to which he had so recently and so so-
lemnly devoted himself.

John Winthrop Jr. to his Father.

u To the Wor 11 his very loving father John Winthrop Esq. at Mr. Down-
ings house in Peterborough Court over ag* : the Conduit in fleet
Street, London.

n S", — My humble duty remembred, I receyved your letters,
reioycing much to understand of the continuance of your wel-
fare. Wee are heere (God be praised) all in good health. I
am glad you have made an end w^ my brothers businesse upon
so good termes ; he & she are both very glad of it : it would
have bred much trouble if it could not now have bene put of,

* The importance attached to this work may be inferred from the postscript of a
letter of Isaac Johnson to Gov. Winthrop, written a few weeks earlier, and printed in
the Mass. Hist Coll., vol. vi., 1st series, p. 82.

368 LIFE AND LETTEBB

besides what hinderance it would have bene to themselves. I
was last wceke at Colchester w m Mr, Heath the Kinges Work-
in im, who made the fort at Langcr point. I have now a per-
ftot plot thereof, w 1 * the dementions of the whole & parts* I
will have it ready ag* you come downe.

K I have now made a rude modell (m only to shew that it is
feasable) of that wind motion, w** I tould you of, then only
imagining it speculatively, but now have seene the experience
of it, and doe affirme that an Instrument may be made to move
w th the wind horizontally to equall if not to exceed the ordinary
verticall motion of the windmill saUes, both in swifbiesse &
force : for the wings of it (w 4 * may be eyther 4 ; 6\ or 8, or as
many m the workman will) in the one semicircle ehalbc allwaies
w th their broad superficies oposite to the wind, the other semi-
circle (allowing only such bredth as for strength the timbers of
the wings shall require) shall be in respect only liniarily oposite
to the same, & where there is any broad superficies pressed
upon by the violence of winds we may conceive the force it car-
rietb by the great weight that it moveth, as ships, &c : & where
it is placed upon a center, & farr distant from the same, we may
iudge w 01 what violence it would whirle round, by the effect it
worketh upon ships sailing close by a wind (w ch tendeth towards
a round motion save that it continually as it declineth changeth
his center, & falleth on a new one) that sometyme through the
force of it, it oversetteth them though poised w* reasonable
weight. Swiftnesse must needs proceed proportionably from
force. I conceive it may be aplied to many laborious uses as
any kind of mills, Corne mills, saw mills &c., & I thinke a
cornemill of this to performe w 111 the ordinary verticall mills
may be made for little more cost then a good horse mill, &
so may hold proportionably in the other sorts, as saw mills, oyle
mills, &c, w 011 are not made eyther for wind or water w^out
great cost ; for this may be made as low as the workman will,
whereas the verticall mills must be made very highe, w 011 mak-
eth them so chargeable : And one spetiall property wilbe in
them that they allwaies stand right for the wind wheresoever it

or JOHN WINTHROP. 369

bloweth : K there may be made any use of it, I desire New
England should reape the benefit for whose sake it was invented.
Et soli Deo gloria.

" Heere was to day a youth from Polsted to be enterteyned
for New England, but knowing you were ftdl I bid him not
loose his labour to come any more to speake w* you, etc. I
pray remember my duty & love to my Uncle & Aunt Downing,
w to my love to my Cosens & freinds. Thus desiring your bless-
ing & praiers I comend you to Gods protection & rest

w Your obedient sonne w John Winthrop.

" Gbot. Jan : 18 : 1629."

We may bring this somewhat miscellaneous chapter to
a close with a series of seven more letters, which passed
between the elder Winthrop and his wife, after he had
paid her another brief visit at Groton, and had returned
to London again to pursue his preparations. They are
full of significance as to the work in which he was
engaged. There is a hurried brevity in some of them,
and a touching pathos in others, which betoken at once
the pressure of business on his time, and the heavier
pressure of care and sorrow, at the prospect of " the
long parting," upon his heart. Both his wife and his
eldest son, with others of the family, were to remain
behind for the present ; and he had thus to make pre-
parations, at the same time, for their comfortable con-
tinuance in England, and for the outfit and voyage of the
Company and of himself. The perils of the ocean were
to be encountered, and the privations of a wilderness to
be endured. No wonder that he " could write little, in
regard of his mucfi business." No wonder that what he
did write bore so strong an impress of mingled anxiety

47

370 LIFE AND LETTERS

and affection. No wonder that Ms " head was dissolved
into tears," as he read one of his wife's little replies,
alluding to the u solemn leave *' which they were so soon
to take of each other. The dates of the two first letters
prove, that, by some magnetic sympathy, they were
writing to each other on the same day.

We reluctantly break the series at one point, for the
admission, in its chronological order, of a letter from
Forth ; which indicates that the custom-officers of Old
England were already taking cognizance of the Gover-
nor's movements.

John WhUhmp to his Wife.

" My dear Wife, — I praise God, we came safe to London,
and continue in health, and found all well here* Thus it pleas-
cth the Lord to follow us with his blessings, that we might love
him again, I find here so much to do, as I doubt I shall not
come down these three weeks ; but, Hum n invest be sure, I will
stay no longer than my occasions shall enforce me.

n I must now begin to prepare thee for our long parting,
which grows very near. I know not how to deal with thee by
arguments ; for if thou wert as wise and patient as ever woman
was, yet it must needs be a great trial to thee, and the greater,
because I am so dear to thee. That which I must chiefly look
at in thee, for a ground of contentment, is thy godliness. If
now the Lord be thy God, thou must show it by trusting in
him, and resigning thyself quietly to his good pleasure. If now
Christ be thy Husband, thou must show what sure and sweet
intercourse is between him and thy soul, when it shall be no
hard thing for thee to part with an earthly, mortal, infirm hus-
band for his sake. The enlargement of thy comfort in the
communion of the love and sweet familiarity of thy most holy,
heavenly, and undefiled Lord and Husband, will abundantly
recompense whatsoever want or inconvenience may come by the

^

OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 371

absence of the other. The best course is to turn all our rea-
sons and discourse into prayers ; for he only can help, who
is Lord of sea and land, and hath sole power of life and
death.

" It is now near eleven of the clock, and I shall write again
ere long (if God will). The good Lord bless thee and all thy
company. My broth, and sister salute you all. Commend my
hearty love to my good sister F. and all the rest. Tell her
I wrote to Mr. Dummer so soon as I came to town ; and, if I
can, I will speak with him, before John go down. So I kiss
my sweet wife, and rest

"Thy frail, yet faithful husband,

"JO. WlNTHROP.
" January 31, 1629."

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

w My most dear Husband, — I should not now omit any
opportunity of writing to thee, considering I shall not long have
thee to write unto. But, by reason of my unfitness at this
time, I must entreat thee to accept of a few lines from me, and
not to impute it to any want of love, or neglect of my duty to
thee, to whom I owe more than I shall ever be able to express.
My request now shall be 'to the Lord to prosper thee in thy
voyage, and enable thee and fit thee for it, and give all graces
and gifts for such employments as he shall call thee to. I trust
God will once more bring us together before you go, that we
may see each other with gladness, and take solemn leave, till
we, through the goodness of our God, shall meet in New Eng-
land, which will be a joyful day to us. I send thee here en-
closed letters from Mr. P. My good sister F. remembers her
love to you, and, it seemeth, hath written so earnestly to Mr,
P. not to come, that he doth forbear to come till he hear more.
I think she would have you send him word to come as soon as
he can, being desirous to speak with him before you go ; but it
must not come from herself, for she will write to him to stay

872 LIFE AND LETTEUS

still. 1 She sal tli, that he shall not need to provide any thing
but a house* for she will furnish it herself. And thus, with my
best wishes to God for thy health and welfare, I take my leave,
and rest

*Thy faithful s and obedient wife,

"Margaret Winthbop.

"January the last"

Forth Winthrop to hh Father.

"Most loving father, — S r , my uncle Goatling received
a letter from Colechester to my brother John, & thinkinge it
had concerned some businesse about the carriage of yo T gooda
thither, brake it open, wherein perceiving that there was de-
clared the Scearchers demand e cue tome, & my Lord Chamber-
line his warrant, or else to search the goods, (as you shall see
expressed in that letter, w 1 * I have sent you enclosed in thkj
my uncle Gostlinge desired me to write to you, to entreate yoti
to send downe directions to us what you would have done in
this businesse ; & if you have my Lord Chamberline hia war-
rant (if you shall see soe fitting) to send it downe, y* the
Scearchers may see it for there satisfaction : Thus hopinge of
yo r wealfare, desiringe yo r prayers & blessinge, & beseeching
A 11 mighty God to blesse & prosper you in these yo r waighty
affaires, entreatinge you if you can conveniently to send me
downe an hatte of w ch I stand in need, & to remember my ser-
vice to my uncle & Aunt Downing & my love to my brothers
w* you. W th my most humble duty to yo r selfe remembred I
rest & remayne

" Yo r obedient Sonne w Forth Winthrop.

"flrom Groton ffeb: 2. 1629:

w My Aunt Fones desires to be remembred to you, & my
cosen Ursula w* her duty remembred beseecheth yo r praiers &
blessinge."

* The letter of Priscilla Fones, which has already been given in this chapter, will
sufficiently show that all this diplomacy had reference to her approaching engagement
to Mr. Painter.

^

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 373

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To my very lovinge Wife M™ Winthrop the elder at Groton, in Suffk.

"My sweet wife, — Thy love is such to me, & so great is
the bonde betweene us, that I should neglect all others to hold
correspondencye of lettres w to thee : but I knowe thou art wil-
linge to dispense w tt somewhat of thine owne right, to give me
lib* 7 to satisfie my other occasions for the present, w** call me to
much writinge this eveninge. Otherwise I would have returned
a larger answeare to thy sweet lettfe. I prayse God we are all
in health, & we goe on cheerfully in o r businesse : I purpose
(if God will) to be with thee upon Thursdaye come senight, &
then I must take my Farewell of thee, for a Sumers daye & a
winters daye. The Lorde o r good God will (I hope) sende us
a happy e meetinge againe in his good tyme : Amen. Comende
me kindly to my good sister ff : I would have written to her,
but I canot, havinge 6 : Lettres to write. I wrote to M r P*
Tell my sister that her mother is brought in bedd & the child
dead, & she in great danger. Among other thinges let the
brassen quart in the Larder howse be putt up ; & my gray
cloake & the coate w** was my brother ffones : & let this war-
rant inclosed be sent to Colchester to M r Sam 11 Borrowes by the
next tyme the carte goes. The Lord blesse thee my sweet wife
XV th all o r children : my brother & sister salute you all : my
sonnes remember their love & dutye : comend my love to all,
farewell.

"Thy faithfull husband, "Jo: Winthrop.

w Lett M r Dudleys thinges be sent up next week.

44 Feb: 5. 1629.

"Remember to putt me up some Cardons & Card M seed. 1
"Beinge now ready to send away my Lettres, I received
thine ; the readinge of it has dissolved my head into tears. I

1 Cardoon, a plant used for soups and salads. — Worcester.

374 LIFE AND LETTEBS

can write no more. If I live I will see thee ere I goe, 1 I shall
parte from thee with sorrowe enough ; be comfortable my most
sweet wife, o r God wilbe w m thee- Farewell/'

John Winthrop to his Wife.

* fc To my verye loringe Wife M rt Winthrop the elder at Grototi in

Suffk,

"Mr sweet Wipes, — I must now anaweare 2 : Lettres of
thine, w** one shorte one : Let this make some supplye, that (if
God will) I wilbe w^ thee on thuradaye nest> therefore let John
come up w 111 my horses on Mundaye. Blessed be the Lorde o r
heavenly father, for all his mercje & goodnesse towards m;
that we may yet heare thus comfortably each from other, &
hope of a meetinge soone in puaee, to be an embleme to ua of
o r aweet & Happy meetinge in N : E : by the same power &
mereye of o r heavenly Father : but 1 muat ende : o r freinds
heer salute thee & all the rest, Coniende my love <& blessings
to o F children & to all o r frcinds. The Lorde be w 01 thee my
aweet wife : farewell*

"Thy faithfull husband w Jo: Winthkop.

••Feb: 11. 1629."

Margaret Winthrop to her Husband.

"Mr deare Husband, — I received thy sweet letter, and
doe blesse God for all his mercyes to us, in the continuance of
thy health and welfayre, and the rest of us heare. I am glad
to heere you wil come home this weike, for I desire to enioy thy
sweete presence as ofte as I can, before that longe partinge
come w ch I de8yre the Lord to fit us for, and give me fayth and
pacience to submite unto his will in all thinges w** he requires
at my hands. I trust he wil sanctify it to me and give me a
right use of it, that I may theareby learn the more to depend

1 The words in italics are almost illegible; the paper having evidently been wet,—
it may be, with the very tears of which he writes.

or JOHN WINTHROP. 375

upon him ; when other comforters fayle me, I hope, he will
supply by the comfort of his holy spirit in the assurance of his
love in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I see thy love to
me and mine, my good Husband, is more then I can deserve,
and thou art more willing to grant then I forward to desyre :
the good Lord requit thee all thy kindnesse to me, but I will
say no more of this till you come home. I beseech the Lord
to send us a comforttable meetinge, and thus with my best love
to thy selfe, my brother and sister Downinge, & all the rest of
our trends, I desyre the Lord to send thee a good end of al thy
troubles and inable thee to goe through them cherefully, as I
trust he will not fayle thee, into whose hands I commit thee
and rest w thy faithful and obedyent wife

"Margaret Winthrope.

w My sister Fones, my sonnes and daughters, remember thear
love and duty to you and brother and sister D."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"My sweet Wife, — I wrote to thee yesterdaye: & this
day o r Company hath spent in prayer & fastinge, & the Lorde
hath been pleased to assist us gratiously ; blessed be his name :
I doubt not but thou & all o r familye shall have parte in the
answeare of o r prayers. This eveninge about 10 : of the clocke
M r Painter came to me : he intendes to be at Groton on teus-
daye next. I expect my horses on teusdaye night, & so (if
God will) I purpose to be at Groton on thursdaye night, or els
at Mr. Gurdons on fryday at noone. Nowe the good Lord
blesse & keepe thee & all thine. So w tt all o r salut* to you all
in hast I ende & rest

n Thy faithfull husband : " Jo : Winthrop.

* I sent downe by Jervais some rice, & 2 : couple of o r N :
Engl d fish.

" Let Brease, M r Huggins sonne in Lawe, have notice to
send up his tooles this weeke.

'•Feb: 12. 1629."

376

LIFE AND LETTERS

Jolm ffinlhrop to his Wife.

"Mr sweet Wife, — The opportunity of so fit a messen-
ger, and my deep engagement of affection to thee, makes me
write at this time, though I hope to follow booh after. The
Lord our God hath oft brought u§ together with comfort, when
we have been long absent ; and, if it be good for us, he will do
eo etilh When I was in Ireland, he brought us together again.
When I was sick here at London, he restored us together
again. How many dangers, near death, hast thou been in thy-
self I and yet the Lord hath granted me to enjoy thee etiJL If
he did not watch over us, we need not go over sea to §eek
death or misery: we should meet it at every step, in every
journey. And is not he a God abroad as well as at home? Ifl
not his power and providence the same in New England that it
hath been in Old England? If our ways please him, he can
command deliverance and safety in all places, and can make
the stones of the field and the beasts, yea, the raging seas, and
our very enemies, to be In league with us. But, if we sin
against him, he can raise up evil against us out of our own
bowels, houses, estates, etc. My good wife, trust in the Lord,
whom thou hast found faithful. He will be better to thee than
any husband, and will restore thee thy husband with advantage.
But I must end, with all our salutations, with which I have
laden this bearer, that he may be the more kindly welcome.
So I kiss my sweet wife, and bless thee and all ours, and rest

w Thine ever, " Jo. Winthrop.

4 'February 14, 1629.

"Thou must be my valentine, for none hath challenged me."

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 377

CHAPTER XIX.

WINTHROFS LAST VISIT TO GROTON. HIS RETURN TO LONDON,
ON HIS WAY TO SOUTHAMPTON TO EMBARK FOR NEW ENG-
LAND. FAREWELL LETTERS TO HIS WIFE, AND OTHER CORRE-
SPONDENTS.

Winthrop returned to Groton for the last time soon after
the date of the letter which closes our last chapter. The
time for " the long parting " had at length arrived. His
final departure from the old homestead, which had been
the scene of his earlier as well as of his maturer years,
and where were the graves not only of his father and
mother, but of others who had been nearer and dearer
to him still, took place during the last week of Feb-
ruary, 1630. He went down to London by the way of
Maplested, the seat of his wife's family ; and soon after
proceeded to Southampton, where he awaited the arri-
val of the ships which were to bear the Massachusetts
Company to New England. He embarked at length on
the 22d of March ; but the ships were detained by bad
winds at Cowes, and again at Yarmouth, in the Isle of
Wight. His letters from all these places to his wife and
others are full of interest, not merely as showing the ten-
derness of his affections and his unfailing trust in God, but
as containing many incidents connected with the outset
of this memorable embarkation. There is something of

48

378 LOTS AND LETTEBS

poetical beauty, as well as of pious sentiment, in the
agreement, which is more than once referred to as having
been made between his wife and himself, that they would
remember each other every Monday and Friday evening,
between the hours of five and six, and M meet in spirit
before the Lord/' Shakspeare, not long before, had put
the same thought into the mouth of Imogen, when, on
having parted with Posthumus, she complains that her
father's angry entrance had interrupted her —

" Ere I could tell Iiim.
How would 1 think on him, at certain hours,
Such thoughts, and such J % ; *
. . . or have charged him,

At the sixth hour of mom, at noon, at midnight,
To encounter me with orisons ; for then
I am in heaven for him*"

But Posthumus was not in his forty-third year, as Win-
throp was ; nor Imogen in her thirty-ninth. And cer-
tainly we doubt whether the language of real affection
on a real occasion was ever more ardently and exquisitely
expressed than in the following passage of John Win-
throp's letter to his wife, "from aboard the Arbella,
riding at the Cowes, March 28, 1630:" —

w And now, my sweet soul, I must once again take my last
farewell of thee in Old England. It goeth very near to my
heart to leave thee ; but I know to whom I have committed
thee, even to Him, who loves thee much better than any hus-
band can ; who hath taken account of the hairs of thy head,
and puts all thy tears in his bottle ; who can, and (if it be for
his glory) will, bring us together again with peace and com-
fort. Oh, how it refresheth my heart to think, that I shall yet
again see thy sweet face in the land of the living I — that lovely

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 379

countenance that I have so much delighted In, and beheld with
so great content ! I have hitherto been so taken up with busi-
ness, as I could ^ldom look back to my former happiness ; but
now when I shall be at some leisure, I shall not avoid the re-
membrance of thee, nor the grief for thy absence. Thou hast
thy share with me, but I hope the course we have agreed upon
will be some ease to us both. Mondays and Fridays, at five of
the clock at night, we shall meet in spirit till we meet in per-
son. Yet if all these hopes should fail, blessed be our God,
that we are assured we shall meet one day, if not as husband
and wife, yet in a better condition. Let that stay and comfort
thine heart. Neither can the sea drown thy husband, nor ene-
mies destroy, nor any adversity deprive thee of thy husband
or children. Therefore I will only take thee now and my sweet
children in mine arms, and kiss and embrace you all, and so
leave you with God. Farewell, farewell. I bless you all in
the name of the Lord Jesus."

There are other passages in these letters, of almost
equal pathos and beauty ; but no reader will fail to dis-
cover them for himself.

Among the letters never before printed, that of March
10, from London, is of peculiar interest; recounting, as
it does, the parting kindnesses which had been shown
him, not only by the Lady Mildmay and the Downings,
and others of his friends and neighbors, but by some who
had been " meer strangers " to him ; and showing how
" the eyes and hearts of all good people " were upon him
and the Company, " breathing many sweet prayers and
blessings after them."

In neither of the letters from Southampton is there
any allusion to the presence of John Cotton, or to the
sermon which he is said to have preached there ; but

such an omission is by no means conclusive evidence that
Winthrop was not among the edified listeners to that
memorable discourse. His letters from there are very
brief; and he says, as an excuse for not writing more
fully, " Here I meet with so much company and busi-
ness, as I am forced to borrow of my sleep for this/*
And so we will still trust that his heart was encouraged
by hearing the faithful minister of Old Boston, who was
so soon to become his companion and pastor in New
Boston, deliver " Gods Promise to his Plantation," l and
follow it with his prayers and benedictions.

John Winthrop to his Wife.

"To my very loving Wife, Mrs. Winthrop, at Gvoton.

"Mora OVTN sweet Self, — I bless God, our heavenly
Father j we are all come safe to Maplcstcd, where we find all in
health. I have nothing to write to thee, but an expression of
my dearest and most faithful affection to thee, and my dear
children and friends with thee. Be comfortable and courage-
ous, my sweet wife. Fear nothing. I am assured the Lord is
with us, and will be with thee. Thou shalt find it in the need-
ful time. Cleave to thy faithful Lord and Husband, Christ
Jesus, into whose blessed arms I have put thee, to whose care
I have and do commend thee and all thine. Once again I kiss

1 This discourse was printed at London in 1630, with a preface signed "J. H.;"
undoubtedly written by John Humphrey. The principal authority for the statement
that it was delivered before the Massachusetts Company at Southampton is Joshua
Scottowe, in his Narrative of the Planting of the Massachusetts Colony, first published
in 1694, and reprinted in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., vol. iv., fourth series, pp. 279, 290-6.
Contemporaneous testimony is found in the following passage from the " Diary of John
Rous," a Suffolk man, under date of 1630: " Some little while since, the Company went
to New England under Mr. Wintrop. Mr. Cotton, of Boston in Lincolnshire, went to
theire departure about Gravesend, & preached to them, as we heare, out of 2 Samuel,
vii. 10. It is said that he is prohibited for preaching any more in England then nntill
June 24 next now comming." — "Diary of John Rous," Camden Society's Publications,
No. 66, pp. 63, 64.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 381

and embrace my sweet wife. Farewell ; the Lord bless thee and
all thy company. Commend me to all, and to all our good
friends and neighbors, and remember Monday and Friday
between five and six.

"Thy faithful husband, w Jo. Winthrop.

" My son Henry must come by Maplested to seal a writing,
which I left there."

John Winthrop to his Wife.
" To Mrs. Marg. Winthrop at Groton with haste.

"MiNfc own dear Heart, — I praise God, we are all in
health at Chelmsford this morning. My son F. came to us
last night about ten of the clock. Our two boys are lusty
travellers, and God's providence hath fitted them with so good
means for their carriage, as we could not desire better. I thank
thee for thy kind tokens. I have nothing to return thee but
love and prayers for thee And thine. The blessing of the Lord
be upon thee and them. My son Hen. must go by Maplested.
Pray him to call to my brother Tindale for £100, and bring it
with him. It is in gold. Send John Hardinge when thou wilt.
Commend us to all our friends, broth. G. and sister, Mr. Leigh,
goodwife Cole, all at Castleins, und all that love us. We- all
here salute you all. You must divide it at leisure, with my
love and blessing to all our children and the rest in our family.
Farewell, my sweet wife, and be of good comfort. The Lord
is with us. He hath sent his servants to bless us, & we shall
be blessed. Kiss me, my sweet wife. Farewell.

w Thy faithful husband, w Jo : Winthrop.

"This Saturday Morning." 1

i The date of 27th November, 1627, is affixed to this letter in the Appendix to Win-
throp*! History of New England; but we were convinced that some mistake most have
occurred in regard to it The letter bears internal evidence of belonging here. Chelms-
ford was his next stage to Maplested, in this last journey from Groton to London.
While this chapter is going through the press, the original letter has come to light, and
our conjecture is sufficiently verified. The Governor himself has given no date to the
letter; and the date of November, 1627, is indorsed by a very modern hand.

r "

382 LtTE AND LETTERS

John Winthrop to hi* Wife,

f Mr deare Wife, — I prayse God we came all safe to
London <£ continue in health : I thinke we shall not goe from
London till the ende of this weeke or the begin ninge of the
next i <fe therefore I hope to write to thee againe from hence.
I am full of businesse & eanot write as I desire : I knowt! lliy
love will accept of any thinge. The Lorde in mercye bless© A
kecpe thee & all thine. Couiende my love to all, farewell my
deare Wife & be of good comfort in the L^rde*

* Thy fait hfuil husband " Jo : TVlNTiraop,

"March 1- 1629.

"The monye thou hast it were not amisse if thou didest sende
the moet of it & of thy plate to my brother Goatlings in some
stronge chest,"

John Ifinfhrop to his Jttfe.

41 London, March 2, 1C29.
**MofE OWN DEAR Heart, — I must confess, thou hast
overcome me with thy exceeding great love, and those abun-
dant expressions of it in thy sweet letters, which savour of more
than an ordinary spirit of love and piety. Blessed be the Lord
our God, that gives strength and comfort to thee to undergo
this great trial, which, I must confess, would be too heavy for
thee, if the Lord did not put under his hand in so gracious a
measure. Let this experience of his faithfulness to thee in this
first trial, be a ground to establish thy heart to believe and
expect his help in all that may follow. It grieveth me much,
that I want time and freedom of mind to discourse with thee
(my faithful yokefellow) in those things, which thy sweet letters
offer me so plentiful occasion for. I beseech the Lord, I may
I have liberty to supply it, ere I depart ; for I cannot thus leave
thee. Our two boys and James Downing, John Samford and
Mary M. and most of my servants, are gone this day towards
South Hampton. The good Lord be with them and us all.

n

OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 383

Goodman Hawes was with me, and very kindly offers to bring
his wife to Groton about the beginning of April, and so stay
till thyself and my daughter l be in bed ; so as thou shalt not
need take care for a midwife. Ah, my most kind and dear
wife, how sweet is thy love to me ! The Lord bless thee and
thine with the blessings from above and from beneath, of the
right hand and the left, with plenty of favor and peace here,
and eternal glory hereafter. All here are in health, (I praise
God,) and salute thee. Remember my love and blessing to
our children, and my salutations to all as thou knowest. So I
kiss and embrace thee, and rest

w Thine ever, "Jo. Winthrop."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

" To my verye loving Wife Mrs. Winthrop the elder at Groton, Suf-
folk.

"London March 10: 1629.

"Mine owne, mine onely, my best beloved, — Me-
thinkes it is verye longe since I sawe or heard from my beloved,
& I misse allreadye the sweet comfort of thy most desired pre-
sence : but the rich merpye & goodnesse of my God makes
supplye of all wants : Blessed be his great & holy name. Ah
my good wife, we now finde what blessinge is stored up in the
favour of the Lorde ; he only sweetens all conditions to us, he
takes our cares & feares from us, he supports us in our dangers,
he disposeth all our affaires for us, he will guide us by his coun-
sell in our pilgrimage, & after will bringe us to glorye.

"John is returned from S: Hampton, where he lefte our
boyes well & merrye : & this morninge we are ridinge thither,
& from thence I shall take my last farewell of thee till we meet
in new E : or till midsomer that it please God our shipps re-
turne. My deare wife be of good courage, it shall goe well

* Doubtless this was Henry's wife. Her daughter Martha was baptized at Groton,
May 9 following.

the

de-
rice

384 LIFE AKB I,ETTEF>S

with thee & us, the hairs of thy head arc numbred,
gave his onely beloved to dye for thee, will give his Angells
charge over thee : therefore rayse up thy thoughts, & be merrye
in (he Lorde, labour to live by thy Faith ; if thou meet with
troubles or difficulty es, be not dismayed; God doth use to
bringe his children into the streighte of the redd sea &e, that he
may shew his power & mercye In makmge a wave for them :
All his courses towards us, are but to make us knowe him &
love him j the more thy heart drawes towards liim in this, the
freer shall thy condition be from the evill of Affliction.

"Our friends heer are all in health (bleseed be God) & de
sire to be heartyly comended to thee, I am exceedingly behold*
ingc to my good brother & sister D, I can fasten no recompenc
upon them for all the chardgc my selfe & my company have
putt them to* I have received much kmdnesee also from my
Lady Mildmay & from others, whereof some have been me
strangers to me, the Lord reward them : It doth much In-
courage us to see, how the eyes & hearts of all good people
are upon us, breathinge many sweet prayers & blessings after
US- Comende my hearty love to all our friends, I cannot now
name them, but thou knowest whom I meane. Nowe I beseech
the Lord & father of mercy e to blesse thee & all thy companye,
my daughter W : Ma : Mat : Sam : Deane, & the little one un-
knowne, Tho : Am : * & the rest : Tell Am : I am very much
beholdinge to her brother, desire her to give him thanks for me :
tell my n : Culproke I am beholdinge to his sonne in lawe for
oysters he sent me, but could not see him to give him thankes.
My deare wife farewell, once againe let us kisse & imbrace, so
in teares of great Affection I rest

"Thine ever "Jo: Winthrop."

1 The persons indicated by Tho: and Am: were undoubtedly his servants Thomas
and Amy. The others, previously alluded to, were Henry's wife, his own daughter
Mary, Martha Fones (afterwards the wife of his son John), and his sons Samuel and
Deane.

OF JOHN WINTUKOP. 395

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w Mine only Best-beloved, — I now salute thee from
South Hampton, where, by the Lord's mercy, we are all safe ;
but the winds have been such as our ships are not yet come.
We wait upon God, hoping that he will dispose all for the best
unto us. I supposed I should have found leisure to have writ-
ten more fully to thee by this bearer ; but here I meet with so
much company and business, as I am forced to borrow of my
sleep for this. I purpose to redeem this loss before I go hence,
and to write to divers of my friends. I must entreat thee to
supply this defect by remembering me in the kindest manner
to .them all. And now (my dear wife) what shall I say to
thee ? I am full of matter and affection toward thee, but want
time to express it. I beseech the good Lord to take care of
thee and thine ; to seal up his loving kindness to thy soul ; to
fill thee with the sweet comfort of his presence, that may uphold
thee in this time of trial ; and grant us this mercy, that we may
see the faces 'of each other again in the time expected. So,
loving thee truly, and tender of thy welfare, studying to bestow
thee safe, where I may have thee again, I leave thee in the arms
of the Lord Jesus, our sweet Saviour, and, with many kisses
and embracings, I rest

" Thine only, and ever thine,

"Jo. Winthrop.
"South Hampton, March 14, 1629.

" The good Lord bless our children and all thy company.
w Do thou bless these here, and pray, pray for us.
w Give Mrs. Leigh many thanks for her horse, and remember
to requite it."

49

lit I

hut

z

ly

386 LITE JLKB LETTERS

JUb Winthrop to kit Son*

u To my verye lovinge Sonne M* John Winthrop at M f Downing'* how
in fleetstreet neere the Conduitt, London.

"My good Sojtne, — The Lord blesse thee ever,
" It bathe pleased him of his riche mercye to bringe us nil
hither in safetye, blessed be his name. Our shipper are not yet
come about ; so as we knowe not wheo we shall depart e f but «r*
eyea are towards o r God, who hath putt us Into hie* service, &
wilbe w th ns to the ende i I have not yet any ley sure, & thcrr-
forc cant write to suche of my good freinds as I desire, but I
hope to gett tyine before we goe ; make what convenient ha
you can to y T mother, «fe that lore & dutye you owe to me*
exercise it towards her & y r brothers & sisters, (I have,
cause to doubt of it, neither doe I) f the Lord will reward all
goodnesse this waye. M F Dudlye was gone to the Wight be-
fore we came, & S T Rich d l is not yet come to us. The Lord
poure downe his blessings upon you, bothe the blessings of the
right hand & the lefte, & let the blessings of yo r father be in-
creased above the blessings of o r ancestors, upon the head &
heart of my deare sonne, so I rest

" Yo r lovinge father w Jo : Winthrop.

"S: Hampton March 14. 1629.

w If you spare any money lease it w 01 your unckle, for I
feare I shall want some."

John Winthrop to his Son.

" To my very loving Son, Mr. John Winthrop, at Groton, Suffolk.

w My good Son, — We are now going to the ship, under the
comfort of the Lord's gracious protection and good providence.
I pray have care so to walk with God in faith and sincerity, ***
by his blessing, we may meet with joy. There is newly come

* Sir Richard SaltonsUlL

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 387

into our company, and sworn an assistant, one Sir Brian Jan-
son of London, a man of good estate, and so affected with our
society, as he hath given £50 to our common stock, and £50
to the joint stock. He desires to be acquainted with you.

w I pray pay Bulbrooke of Wenham such money as his pro-
visions cost him, about 30 or 40s. and receive £12 of goodman
Pond for the rest of his son's two cows, (I had £10 before,)
and ask him for their passage £10. You shall receive £5 for
Edward Palsford, which John S. hath order for. I pray pay
Mr. Goffe such money as you shall receive direction for from
your uncle Downing.

" We are now come safe (I praise God) to the Cowes. The
wind is now very fair, (God be praised,) and we are preparing
to set sail this night. The Lord in mercy send us a prosperous
voyage. Farewell, my dear son. The Lord bless you and all
my children and friends. Commend me to them all, as if I
named them ; for I am in great straits of leisure. So I rest

"Your loving father, "Jo. Winthkop.

-March 22, 1629."

John Winthrop to his Wife.

w My dear Wife, — I wrote to thee, when I went from
South Hampton, and now I must salute thee and take leave
together from the ship. God be blessed, the wind is come very
fair, and we are all in health. Our children l remember their
duties and desire thy blessing. Commend me to all our good
friends, as I wrote in my former letter, and be comfortable, and
trust in the Lord, my dear wife, pray, pray. He is our God
and Father ; we are in covenant with him, and he will not cast
us off. So, this once more, I kiss and embrace thee and all my
children, e(c., etc.

w Thy faithful husband, " Jo. Winthrop.

44 From aboard the Arbella, riding at the Cowes, March 22, 1629."

1 Henry, Stephen, and Adam.

388 LITE APtt> LETTERS

John Winthrop to hii Wift*
"To Mm Marg, Winthrop, the elder, at Groton.

ff Mr faithful and deae Wife, — It pleaacth God, that
thou shouldst once again hear from roe before our departure,
and I hope this shall come safe to thy hands. I know It will
be a great refreshing to thee. And blessed ho his mercy,
that I can write thee so good news, that we are all in very good
health, ami, having tried our ship's entertainment now more
than a week, we find it agree very well with us. Our boya are
well and cheerful, and have no rnin<l of home* They He both
with rae, and sleep as soundly in a rug (for we use no sheet*
here) as ever they did at Grototi ; and so I do myself, (1 praiao
God). The wind hath been against u* this week and more;
but this day it is come fair to the north , so as we arc preparing
(by God's assistance) to set sail in the morning. We have
only four ships ready, and some two or three Hollander* gti
along with us. The rest of our fleet (being seven ships) will
not be ready this sennight* We have spent now two Sabbath*
on shipboard very comfortably, (God be praised,) and are
daily more and more encouraged to look for the Lord's presence
to go along with us. Henry Kingsbury hath a child or two in
the Talbot sick of the measles, but like to do well. One of my
men had them at Hampton, but he was soon well again. We
are, in all our eleven ships, about seven hundred persona, pas-
sengers, and two hundred and forty cows, and about sixty
horses. The ship, which went from Plimouth, carried about
one hundred and forty persons, and the ship, which goes from
Bristowe, carrieth about eighty persons. 1 And now (my sweet
soul) I must once again take my last farewell of thee in Old
England. It goeth very near to my heart to leave thee ; but I
know to whom I have committed thee, even to him who loves

1 The ship from Plymouth was the "Mary and John,'* which carried Maverick,
Warham, and Roger Clap. From Bristol came the u Lion ; " William Pierce, master.

1

OF JOHN WINTHKOP. 389

thee much better than any husband can, who hath taken ac-
count of the hairs of thy head, and puts all thy tears in his
bottle, who can, and (if it be for his glory) will bring us to-
gether again with peace and comfort. Oh, how it refresheth
my heart, to think, that I shall yet again see thy sweet face in
the land of the living ! — that lovely countenance, that I have
so much delighted in, and beheld with so great content ! I
have hitherto been so taken up with business, as I could seldom
look back to my former happiness ; but now, when I shall be
at some leisure, I shall not avoid the remembrance of thee, nor
the grief for thy absence. Thou hast thy share with me, but I
hope the course we have agreed upon will be some ease to us
both. Mondays and Fridays, at five of the clock at night, we
shall meet in spirit till we meet in person. Yet, if all these
hopes should fail, blessed be our God, that we are assured we
fehall meet one day, if not as husband and wife, yet in a better
condition. Let that stay and comfort thy heart. Neither can
the sea drown thy husband, nor enemies destroy, nor any adver-
sity deprive thee of thy husband or children. Therefore I will
only take thee now and my sweet children in mine arms, and
kiss and embrace you all, and so leave you with my God.
Farewell, farewell. I bless you all in the name of the Lord
Jesus. I salute my daughter Winth. Matt. Nan. and the rest,
and all my good neighbors and friends. Pray all for us. Fare-
well. Commend my blessing to my son John. I cannot now
write to him ; but tell him I have committed thee and thine to
him. Labor to draw him yet nearer to God, and he will be
the surer staff of comfort to thee. I cannot name the rest of
my good friends, but thou canst supply it. I wrote, a week
since, to thee and Mr. Leigh, and divers others.

w Thine wheresoever, w Jo. Winthbop.

" From aboard the Arbella, riding at the Cowes, March 28, 1630.

w I would have written to my brother and sister Gostling, but
it is near midnight. Let this excuse ; and commend my love
to them and all theirs. 9 *

390 LIFE AKD LETTBES

John Wmthmp to his Wife.

"To my very loving Wife, Mrs. Winthrop, the elder, at Groton, tn

Suffolk.

*Mj Love, my Jot, mt faithful One, — I suppose thou
didst not expect to have any more letters from me till the return
of our ships ; but so is the good pleasure of God, that the
winds should not serve yet to carry us hence. He will do all
things in his own time, and that shall be for the best in the end.
We acknowledge it a gTeat mercy to us, that we went not out
to sea on Monday, when the wind was fair for one day ; for we
had been exposed, ever since, to sore tempests and contrary
winds, I praise God, we arc all in good health, and want
nothing. For myself, I was never at more liberty of body and
mind these many years. The Lord make me thankful and wise
to improve his blessings for the furtherance of his own work*
I desire to resign myself wholly to his gracious disposing* Oh
that I had an heart so to do, and to trust perfectly in him tor
his assistance in all our ways- We fiud him still going along
with us. He hath brought in the heart of the master of our
ship to afford us all good respect, and to join with us in every
good action. Yesterday he caused his seamen to keep a fast
with us, wherein the Lord assisted us and our minister very
comfortably ; and when five of the clock came, I had respite to
remember thee, (it being Friday,) and to parley with thee, and
to meet thee in spirit before the Lord. After supper, we dis-
covered some notorious lewd persons of our own company,
who, in time of our fast, had committed theft, and done other
villanies, for which we have caused them to be severely pun-
ished.

w I am uncertain whether I shall have opportunity to send
these to thee ; for, if the wind turn, we shall soon be gone.
Therefore I will not write much. I know it will be sufficient
for thy present comfort, to hear of our welfare ; and this is the
third letter I have written to thee, since I came to Hampton, in

i

Or JOHN WINTHROP. 391

requital of those two I received from thee, which I do often
read with much delight, apprehending so much love and sweet
affection in them, as I am never satisfied with reading, nor can
read them without tears ; but whether they proceed from joy,
sorrow, or desire, or from that consent of affection, which I
always hold with thee, I cannot conceive. Ah, my dear. heart,
I ever held thee in high esteem, as thy love and goodness hath
well deserved ; but (if it be possible) I shall yet prize thy vir-
tue at a greater rate, and long more to enjoy thy sweet society
than ever before. I am sure thou art not short of me In this
desire. Let us pray hard, and pray in faith, and our God, in
his good time, will accomplish our desire. Oh, how loath am I
to bid thee farewell I but, since it must be, farewell, my sweet
love, farewell. Farewell, my dear children and family. The
Lord bless you all, and grant me to see your faces once again.
Come, (my dear,) take him and let him rest in thine arms, who
will ever remain,

" Thy faithful husband, w Jo. Winthrop.

w Commend my love to all our friends at Castleins, 1 Mr.
Leigh and his wife, my neighbor Cole and his wife, and all the
rest of our good friends and neighbors, and our good friends at
Maplested, when you see them, and those our worthy and kind
friends at Assington, 9 etc. My brother Arthur 3 hath carried
himself very soberly since he came on shipboard, and so hath
Mr. Brand's son, 4 and my cousin Ro. Sampson. 5 I hope their
friends shall hear well of them.

" From aboard the Arbella, riding before Yabmouth,
in the Isle of Wight, April 3, 1630."

1 This was a manor-house in Groton, the seat of the Cloptona.

2 Assington was the residence of the Gordons.

* He was a son of Sir John Tindall, father of the writer's wife.

4 The Brands were of Polstead Hall, in Polstead or Edwardston, — parishes close to
Groton.

6 Robert was the son of John Sampson, who married Bridget Clopton, sister of Win-
throp' 8 second wife. The Sampsons were an ancient knightly family of Sampson's
Hall in Kersey, near Groton.

LIFE AND LETTERS

John ffinthrop to hu Son.
** To [my very loving Son,] Mr* [John Winthrop,] Groton* in Suffolk,

"My good Sou, — I received two letters from you since I
came to Hampton, and this ie the second I have written buck
to you. I do much rejoice and bless God for that goodness f
find in you towards me and mine, I do pray, and assuredly
tixpect, that the Lord will reward it plentifully in your bosom ;
for it is his promise to prolong their days, (which includes all
outward prosperity,) who give due honor to their parents*
Trust him, son, for he is faithful. Labor to grow into nearer
communion and Acquaintance with lain, and you shall find him
a good God, and a master worth the serving. Ask of any who
have tried bun, and they will justify him in his kindness and
bounty to his servants* Yet we must not look that ht? should
always give us what we think might be good for us ; but wait,
and let him take hir own wav, and the end will satbfv our
expectation.

* Our ship and the Talbot are now at Yarmouth ; but the
Jewell, and Ambrose are put back unto the Cowes. We have
had very tempestuous weather, with the wind at S.W., so as
some ships, which went out at the Needles before us, are driven
back again ; and we intend not to stir till we see the wind set-
tled. I would wish women and children not to go to sea till
April, and then to take shipping at London. If we had done
bo, it had eased us of much trouble and charge. There lie now
at Cowes two ships of Holland, bound one to the Streights and
the other to the East Indies, of one hundred tons a piece, which,
putting to sea in February, spent their masts, and, with much
difficulty, and loss of near a hundred men, are come in hither.
There came in lately by us a ship from Virginia, laden with
tobacco. The master came aboard us, and told us, that they
want corn there. She was fourteen weeks outward, and yet
lost but one man. I pray certify me, by the next occasion,

1

or JOHN WINTHROP. 393

what the wine cost for the common use, and if you have laid
out any more in that kind, that I may perfect my account.

w I pray prepare money so soon as you can, that I may be
clear with Mr. Goffe and others, and that my part in the joint
stock may be made up.

w Sir Nath. Barnardiston desired to put in money into our
joint stock. Remember my love and respect to him, and if he
will put in £50, take it as part of the £200 which I have put
in already, except you have money enough to supply more.

w Yesterday we kept a fast aboard our ship and in the Tal-
bot. Mr. Phillips exercised with us the whole day, and gave
very good content to all the company, as he doth in all his
exercises, so as we have much cause to bless God for him.

"In the Talbot a woman was lately delivered of a son, and
both like to do well.

"For other things, which concern my affairs at home, I refer
them to your care and the good providence of the Almighty.

w Commend my love to all our good friends, as you have
occasion, — to my daughter Winthrop, your sister and cousin,
and to Mr. Leigh, Mr. Nutt, 1 and that family, and to all at
Castleins, and the rest, whom I can't now name ; and the Lord
bless, direct, and prosper you in all your ways. So farewell,
my good son.

w Your loving father, w Jo. Westthrop.

•' From aboard the Arbella, riding before Yarmouth, April 5, 1630.

" Our long stay here hath occasioned the expense of much
more money than I expected, so as I am run much in Mr.
Goffe's debt. I pray get up some money so soon as you can,
and pay him £150, or so much as you can get."

We must not omit, before closing this chapter, to give
another of Winthrop's parting letters; of which the
original draught, or it may be a rough copy, in his own

1 Undoubted]/ Mr. Newton and his family.
50

k

394 LIFE AKD LETTEK3

handwriting, has survived the ravages of time. It is a
letter to his friend Sir William Spring, then serving in
Parliament with Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston, as Knight
for the Comity of Suffolk. It contains many striking
passages, altogether characteristic of the writer ; and
certainly indicates a depth of feeling and a warmth of
sympathy such as men rarely express, even if they ever
feel, towards each other in these latter days. It seems to
have been written in answer to a request from Sir Wil
liam for a farewell word of consolation and counsel.

John Winthrop to Sir William Springe.

" Woetht Sin, and to me a most sweet friend, — I know
not how to frame my affections to write to you, I received
your letter, nay, mcrum mcl non ephtolam a te accepi. I am in
suspense, whether I should submit my thoughts in the sweetness
of your love, or eit down sorrowful in the consciousness of mine
own infirmity, as having nothing precious in me, or any way
worthy such love or esteem ; — But that which I have found
from yourself and some others, whose Constance and good trust
hath made me some time proud of their respects, gives me occa-
sion to look up to a higher Cause, and to acknowledge the free
favor and goodness of my God, who is pleased to put this honor
upon me (a poor worm and raised but yesterday out of the dust)
to be desired of his choicest servants : I see his delight is to
show the greatest bounty where he finds the least desert, there-
fore he justifies the ungodly, and spreads the skirt of his love
upon us, when he finds us in our blood unswathed, unwashed,
unseasoned — that he might shew forth the glory of his mercy,
and that we might know how he can love a creature.

w Sweet Sir, You seek fruit from a barren tree, you would
gather knowledge where it never grew : If to satisfy your de-
sire, I should bundle up all that reading and observation hath

OF JOHN WDTTHBOP. 395

put into me, they will afford but these few considerations — 1.
Joshua his best piece of policy was, that he chose to serve the
ablest master; Mary's, that she would make sure of the best
part ; and Solomon's, that he would have wisdom, rather than
riches or life : 2. The clear and veriest desire of these, was
never severed from the fruition of them : the reason is clear,
the Lord holds us always in his lap, as the loving mother doth '
her froward child, watching when it will open the mouth, and
presently she thrusts in the teat or the spoon : Open thy
mouth wide (saith the Lord) and I will fill thee. O ! that
Israel would have hearkened to me, I would have filled them
&c. O ! that there were in this people an heart &c. O ! Je-
rusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thee &c.
He filleth the hungry soul with good things. 3. Even our
Grace hath its perfection begun in this life : All true colours
are good, yet the colour in grain is in best esteem, and of most
worth : meekness of wisdom, poverty of spirit, pure love, sim-
plicity in Christ &c., are Grace in Grain : 4. For all outward
good things, they are to a Christian as the bird to- the fowler,
— if he goes directly upon her, he is sure to miss her : riches
takes her to her wings (saith Solomon) when a man pursues
her : he that will speed of this game, must seek them quasi
aliud agens > or (more freely) aliud cogitans. I have known
when three or four have beat the bushes a whole day, with as
many dogs waiting on them, and have come home weary, empty
and discontented, when one poor man going to market, hath in
an hour or two dispatched his business, and returned home
merry, with a hare at his back. Of all outward things life hath
no peer, yet the way to save this is, to lose it ; for he that will
save his life shall lose it. Where is now the glory and great-
ness of the times past? even of yesterday? Queen Elizabeth,
King James, &c. — in their time, who but they? Happy he
who could get their favour ! Now they are in the dust, and
none desire their company, neither have themselves one mite
of all they possessed — only the good which that Queen did for
the Church hath stamped an eternal sun-lustre upon her name,

906 um and lettebs

go as the Londoners do still erect triumphant monuments of her
in their churches P — If we look at persons of inferior quality,
how many have there been, who have adventured (if not sold)
their souls, to raise those houses, which are now possessed by
strangers? If it be enough for ourselves, that we have food
and raiment, why should we covet more for our posterity? It
is with us as with one in a fever, the more nourishment we give
him , the longer and sharper are his fits : So the more we cloy
our posterity with riches (above competency) the more matter
will there be for affliction to work upon : It were happy for
many if their parents had left them only such a legacy as our
modern spirit of poetry makes his motto, Vt nee kabemr, nw
tanant, rue eurenL 1

w I am so straightened in time, and my thoughts so taken up
with business, as indeed I am unfit to write of these things* It
is your exceeding love hath drawn these from me, and that Kofi
must cover all infirmities, I loved you truly before I could
think that you took any notice of me ; but now I embrace you
*ud rest in your love, and delight to solace my first thoughts in
these sweet affections of so dear a friend. The apprehension
of your love and worth together hath overcome my heart, and
removed the veil of modesty, that I must needs tell you, my
soul is knit to you, as the soul of Jonathan to David : Were
I now with you, I should bedew that sweet bosom with the
tears of affection. O ! what a pinch will it be to me, to part
with such a friend I If any Emblem may express our condition
in heaven, it is this Communion in love. I could, (nay, I
shall) , envy the happiness of your dear brother B. 2 that he shall
enjoy what I desire — nay (I will even let love drive me into
extacy) I must repine at the felicity of that good Lady (to

1 I was curious to know whom Winthrop called "our modern spirit of poetry;"
but the motto eluded my search, until I found, in the recent Life of Milton by Prof.
Masson, that it belonged to George Wither, whose " Hymns and Songs of the Church "
were among the best religious verses in that day, and hare been republished in oir
•wn. — M (man's Life of Milton, Am. edition, vol. i. pp. 864-7.

2 Evidently Sir N. Barnardiston, then the colleague of Spring, in Parliament, as
Knight of the County of Suffolk.

OP JOHN WINTHROP. 397

whom in all love and due respect I desire to be remembered) as
one that should have more part than myself in that honest
heart of my dear friend. But I must leave you all : our fare-
wells usually are pleasant passages, mine must be sorrowful ;
this addition of, forever, is a sad close ; yet there is some com-
fort in it — bitter pills help to procure sound health : God will
have it thus, and blessed be his holy name — let him be pleased
to light up the light of his countenance upon us, and we have
enough. We shall meet in heaven, and while we live, our
prayers and affections shall hold an intercourse of friendship
and represent us often, with the idea of each other's counte-
nance. Your earnest desire to see me, makes me long as much
to meet you : If my leisure would have permitted me, I would
have prevented your travel ; but I must now (against mine own
disposition) only tell you where you may find me upon Thurs-
day, &c. It is time to conclude, but I know not how to leave
you, yet since I must, I will put my beloved into His arms, who
loves him best, and is a faithful keeper of all that is committed
to him. Now Thou the hope of Israel, and the sure help of
all that come to thee, knit the hearts of thy servants to thyself,
in faith and purity. Draw us with the sweetness of thine
odours, that we may run after thee — Allure us, and speak
kindly to thy servants, that thou mayest possess us as N thine
own, in the kindness of youth, and the love of marriage —
Seal us up, by that holy Spirit of promise, that we may not
fear to trust in thee — Carry us into thy garden, that we may
eat and be filled with those pleasures, which the world knows
not — Let us hear that sweet voice of thine, my love, my dove,
my undefiled * — Spread thy skirt over us, and cover our de-
formity — Make us sick with thy love — Let us sleep in thine
arms, and awake in thy kingdom — The souls of thy servants,
thus united to thee, make as one in the bonds of brotherly
affection — Let not distance weaken it, nor time waste it, nor

i Winthrop's familiarity with the Song of* Solomon is abundantly evident in this
and other passages of the prayer with which he concludes the letter.

898 LIFE AND LETTERS

changes dissolve it, nor self-love eat it out ; but when all means
of other communion shall fail, let us delight to pray for each
other : And bo let thy unworthy servant prosper in the love
of his friends, as he truly loves thy good servants S- and B. 1
and wishes true happiness to them and to all theirs — Amen.

"London, Feb, 8, 1629."

Nor were the leave-takings altogether confined to let-
ters. u That honourable and worthy gentleman, Mr.
John Winthrop, the Govemour of the Company " (says
Hubbard), " at a solemn feast amongst many friends,
a little before their last farewell, finding his bowels yearn
within him j instead of drinking to them, by breaking into
a flood of tears himself, set them all a weeping, with
Paul's friends, while they thought of seeing the faces of
each other no more in the land of the living, ■ % Well
did he say, " This addition of forever is a sad close to
our farewells."

And thus ends the life of John Winthrop in Old Eng-
land. We have traced it, or rather have allowed it to
trace itself, for a period of a little more than forty-two
years. His ancestry and parentage, his education, his
professional career, his repeated personal trials and afflic-
tions, his religious experiences, all have been exhibited
in succession. As the mere story of a life two centuries
and a half ago, it could not have been wholly without
interest. Had that life terminated here ; had the " Ar-
bella " foundered on her weary and perilous passage, and

1 Spring and Bamardiston. * Hubbard's N.E., ch. xxiii.

OF JOHN WINTHROP. 399

Winthrop never again been heard of; or had he only
landed on the shores of New England, like his excellent
friend and associate, Isaac Johnson, to look around for a
few months on the wilderness-work which he had under-
taken, and then to sicken and die, — we still cannot doubt
that there would have been many minds and many hearts
to whom his career, as thus far developed, would have
been both instructive and attractive. No one could
have been willing that these ancient letters and papers,
unveiling so much of the domestic life of a period so
remote, and which have so mysteriously survived the
accidents of time, should have been suffered to perish at
last without seeing the light. No true antiquarian, cer-
tainly, would have forgiven the suppression even of a
single letter of so distant a date ; while any attempt to
abridge or condense such materials could only have
resulted in depriving them of that quaintness and raci-
ness which constitute so much of the charm of the
epistolary style of the olden time.

And now, in his mature manhood, Winthrop is leav-
ing home and friends and kindred and native country,
to traverse a vast ocean, and to enter on a most labori-
ous and responsible public service in a remote and
unsettled corner of the earth. Had he remained in Eng-
land, it is easy to imagine that he might have played no
undecided or undistinguished part in the great events
which were soon to shake that kingdom to its centre.
Civil and religious persecutions, alike, were rapidly
assuming a shape and an intensity which could not fail
to rouse the nation to resistance. The days of ship-
money were close at hand, and Laud was soon about to

400 LWE ANtf LETTEBS

ascend his archiepiscopal throne. In the stem strag-
gles of Puritanism against arbitrary power, whether in
Church or in State, Winthrop could not have remained
neutral or inactive , AH his associations and all his
principles would have ranged him on the side of tolera-
tion and freedom ; and 5 though his marked moderation
of character might have held him back from the extreme
measures of Rump Parliaments and Regicides, no one
can doubt that he would have gone along with such
men as Hampden and Eliot to the battle-field, to the
Tower, or oven to the block, rather than submit to the
tyrannical exactions and oppressions which Crown and
Mitre were so soon to vie with each other in dealing
out over the land.

But his fortunes are henceforth indlssolubly linked
with the colonization and civilization of the New World,
where he is destined to exercise an influence, second,
certainly, to that of no other man of his day, upon the
rise and progress of American institutions. Nineteen
years are still to elapse between his embarkation on the
22d of March, 1629-30, and his death on the 26th of
March, 1649 ; and the account of his career during that
period will furnish ample materials for another volume of
this Biography. That career, however, belongs to history,
and has been already illustrated by more than one of the
historians of the United States and of New England. 1
We can hardly hope to add much to the account of .

1 Mr. Bancroft has given a brilliant sketch of Winthrop's life and character in his
History of the United States, vol. i. (18th edition) ch. ii. ; and nothing could be
more admirable, or, as we think, more generally just, than Dr. Palfrey's treatment of
Winthrop's career, in his recent History of New England.

fc

UPB AND LETTERS OF JOHN WLNTHKOP. 401

this latter part of his life, although we are not without
some new original letters and papers pertaining to it.
Meantime, the present volume contains all the facts, in
regard to his earlier condition and fortunes, which have
been brought to light in the recently discovered family
papers, and exhibits the whole preparation and discipline
through which he passed before entering upon his memo-
rable New-England enterprise. It displays, in greater
detail, perhaps, than can be found anywhere else, not
merely the outward life, but the inmost thoughts and
motives and principles, of one of our most distinguished
American Puritans, and unfolds all the circumstances
which could have given an impulse and a direction to the
course which he ultimately adopted and pursued. It por-
trays, as he was up to the very moment when he entered
upon the solemn trust, the chosen Leader of the fathers
and founders of Massachusetts in the transfer of their
government from England to America; and shows us
precisely of what stuff he was made, and under what
stars he was moulded.

In this regard, the present volume is complete in it-
self, and may not unfitly be given to the public as an
independent work. Here, then, we close it ; leaving all
question as to the earlier or later appearance of another
volume to be decided hereafter.

51

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

MEMORANDA FROM THE DIARY OP ADAM
WINTHROP,

(Father of Governor Winthrop.)
1595-1610.

Special matters S? observations noted in the yere of our Lords God
1595 : by me A. W.

This yere Come was very scarce vntil haruest, notw^tanding y* there 1595.
was muche wheate & rye brought into Inglande from by yonde the
Seas, whereby the price of corne was abated.

Also al other kinde of vitaile was in the begynnynge of this yere
sould at great prices.

On Whitsonday I had a great swarme of bees, and on Munday in
Witsonweeke ther did come a swarme of bees flyeng oner Castleynes
heathe into Carters grounde. 1

The same day & tyme Mr. Gatcheroode, Mr. Walton, Mr. Th.
Waldgraue, Mr. Clopton & my selfe were ther present about the bound-
ing of the heathe.

On Thursday the 3. of July, Mr. Brampton Gurdon had a soonne
borne to him : who was baptized on Sunday the 13 of July and named
John. S r W* Waldegraue and old Mr. John Gurdon were godfathers :
and the Lady Moore & olde Mris. Gurdon were godmoothers.

This yeare at y* Sommer assises, viz : 22 Julij 1595, diuers Justices
of the Peace were put out of y* Comission by the Q. comandement, viz.
Mr. lUney, Mr. W. Foorth, Mr. Doile, Mr. Warren, Mr. Drury.

} There were many superstitions about bees in Suffolk County; and, among others,
that bad luck was portended by a stray swarm of bees settling on one's premises, un-
claimed by their ownei. — "The Book of Days," p. 752.

406 ATPENBIX,

1595. This yore the viii* Bay of July my brother Roger AlibaMer, & my

87 EL sister his wife w** their iij sones, George, John & Thomas, & Sam their

daughter, tooke tbeir iouray from Hadleigh to goe into Irelande.

The same day it Thundred, hailed & Bayned very sore,

WUl* Alibaater their eldest soonne departed from my house tows
Cambrige the ix* of July, malcontent, 1

Thk yere harvest began not w 1 * vs vn till the xij* of August & con-
tynued vntill the [*&«*] of September.

The 27 of August Mr- Hanam fell sicke & reeouerd the iiij 1 * of
Sept* The same day my brother killed a brocke* w* his hounds.

The xxx of August I received a Ire from my brother Cotty
Oauentry.

The v Ul day of Sept my coeen Marian Eolfe came to my house.

The x lh of Sept my cosen Hawkyns came to me*

The jod}* of Sept. my brother Mxldmay came to my house.

The 3, i & 5 dales of October S r #■ Waldegraue mustred all
souldio' 1 viz, 400, vppon a hill nere Sudbury.

The 8 day of October my wyfe rydde to her father at Pritlewell in
Essex & returned the xx* 3

The x 4 * day of October Adam Seely retourned home, & the same
day I Rec A a Ire from my I- of Bathe.*

In the moneth of Octobre, Ano 1595, S r Thomas Henenge dkA
Vir bonus fy pius, & on the same day & monethe Philip, late Erie of
Arundell died in the Tower of London.

The XXX th day of Octobre Richard Bronde of Boxford ahennan, 1
Departed out of this life, ano etatis 59.

The 7 of November the Erie of Hertford was comitted to the
Tower.

The xiiij th of Decembre I receyved a Ire from my brother Alibaster
written from Tenby in Wales concernynge his ill successe in his Irisshe
iourny.

* For some account of William Alabaster, see p. 16, note 1.
a A badger.

* Adam's wife was the daughter of Henry Browne, who is sometimes styled of
Edwardston, and sometimes of Prittlewell. See pp. 47-8.

* By "my Lord of Bathe" is meant Dr. John Still, Bishop of Bath and WeOs,
whose sister was Adam's first wife.

* "The Cloth-workers were originally incorporated by Edward IV. in 14M si
ihermen (shearers )."—TUnb$ y i Curiosities of London*

DIARY OP ADAM WINTHROP. 407

A festo natiuitaUs Domini Anno 1595.

The [W«*] Day of January the batcher of Netherden woodde was 1595.
cruelly murdered viz. his hed was cutt of & his body devided into iiij
qr 1 ™ & wrapt in a sheet & layd vpon his owne horse, as he came from
Bury markett ; & so brought home to his wyfe, who vppo the sight
therof pmMy died. 1

The ix* of January Mr. Sandes was taken sicke grauiter.

The xx* of January my brother Mildmay did sett vppon a Comis-
sion at the Whight Lion in Boxford street w^in Groton.

The third day of ffeb. Carue Mildmay was borne.

The V th of ffeb mother Baker died. 8

The vij* of ffeb. I Rec d a Ire from my L. of Bathe.

The X th of ffeb. I was at my ffathers, & the XV th at my brother
Mildmayes.

The xvi. of ffeb. Sara Winthrop was maried to John Froste.

The xix* of ffeb Robert Brand the phisiton died, etats 61.

The seconde of Marche S r W m Waldegrave kept a Court at Ed-
wardeston.

The X th day of March John Clarke the warde setter died beinge of
th* age of lxxvj yeres.

The xvij* 11 day of Marche Mr. Nicholson was robbed.

The xix* 11 day Mr. Knewstub preached at Boxforde.

The [blank] of Marche S r Robert Winckfild the ancientest knight
in Suff. died & S r Francis Hynde of Cambridgeshire died the 21 of the
same moneth.

The X th of Aprill John Wade died & was buried at Pritlewell. 1596.

The xj of Aprill, being Ester day, the Bell did Ringe at Groton for
Mr. Clopton, Ano 1596, but he recouered.

The XV th of Aprill Rich. Spenser asked Mr. Gurdon forgivenesse
for Slandringe of him.

The xxiij* of Aprill E. Aulston was maried to Susan B.

The last of Aprill S r J. Puckringe, L. keper of the great seale died
of the deadde palsey.

The X th of May [Made] Grymolde of Nedginge did hange himselfe
in his Barne.

* This paragraph has lines drawn oyer it by a later hand, perhaps to throw doubt or
denial on the story.

* The terms " father " and " mother " will be frequently found in this Diary, applied
evidently to aged persons who were probably so called in the neighborhood, but haying
no reference to any parental connection.

408

APPENDIX.

1596. The xvij* of May Adam SeeJy went priviHe from tm

c&ried awaye xv" w** he did steale from Hi chard Edwardcs, jw fw
^/arto dignux est eapistro*

The xviij* of May John Spencer the eld* died*

The xxriij* of May Mr. Pie of Colchester died suddenly.

The xj* of June S r W 1 " Waldegraue trayned his whole
foot emeu & horsemen on Babar heathe.

The 16 of June my brother Winthrop departed from my hou*
towards Ireland, & my brother AHbaster went w* him.

The xv* day of June D T Fletcher B* of London died.

The xxiiij* of Juoe my fiather Browne came to my house.

The vj f * of July ih assises were holden at Bury.

The same day was the Comencemcnt at Cotnbrige, & Mr. OthiII
was made D' of Divinitie.

The 2f) day of July my brother Mildmay came to Edwardcstea to
my house. 1

The 2 a of August George AHbast' died, A* l$9&

The ix* of August my b. Weston p'ched at Boxford sup* 13 Jfata
verm vittmot pie 4" doqumttr?

The xx* of Aug* fell a great Raync «* made a floud at Boxfori

The xily* of August I dragde raj great ponde 4k look* out xu*
greate Carpes.

The xix* of August Tilleson did sett vp the house in the W. Beign-
olds yarde.

The last of August my wife ridde to Ipsw** for phisick & on the
same day Clover died.

The xiij* of Sept. Judithe Pond was dd* of her first soonne being
munday, & he was named W m .

The same day my Cosen Tho : Mild may retorned, & Ed. Aukoa
was maryed the xxj* & my wife rydd to Bury.

The xxvij* of Sept. my Cozen Alib. came to my house.

The xviij* daye, being S. Luks day John Hawes rent Mary Pierce*
peticote & did beate her sister Katherine w* a crabtree stafTe.

On Tuesday the ix* of Novembre Richard Edwards my sernnt
died.

On thursday the xj of Novembre Anna Snellinge was maried to
John Duke,

1 Some account of the relations between Adam Winthrop and the Mildmayt will U
found un pp. UT-S.
* See note on p. M-

DIARY OF ADAM WINTHBOP. 409

•On tuesday in the mornynge being the last of November the 1596.
wydowe Francs died, & the same Day the goodwyfe Lewes Kyrby was
dd of ij childre.

The V th day of December Susan Bronde the wyfe of Edward Auls-
ton died of childbed.

The [WanJb] day of December old Simon Laughlinge died.

The [blank] day Anne Nutter the daughter of Willm Nutter died, of
the age of xx yeres.

A Register of the Deathes of my frends, ty of other things ut** haue
happened since the feast of the Nativitie, Ano 1596.

The -iiij* 1 * Day of January Mr. Steven Piend died.

The vujf* day of January being Saterday, my ffather Henry Browne
died, of the age of 76 yeres, & was buryed in PrUde* -1 Church in
Essex.

The seconde of Marche John Hamonde died.

The vij 111 of Marche I was robbed by false kks, & iij dayes before
Mr. Sands was robbed.

The xxix* of Marche Ano 1597 John Crab was married to Kathc- 1597.
rine Ker my s'vant who was sicke the same day.

The xvj 411 day of Aprill Mr. Gawen Harvey the yongest soonne of
Mr. George Harvey highe shreve of Essex came to my house & the
xix* day he & my nephewe Henry Mild may depted toward Springfild
in Essex. 1

The 22 day of Aprill Grymble my great mastiffe was hanged, a
gentle dog in the howse but eyes oft blind.

The xxiij* day of Aprill I sowed Wranglande w* berry barley.

The iij d of May M r Robt Hanhams wife Receyved xx u of the gift
of Mr. Hanham his vnckle.

The X* of May I did ryde to my b. Mildmayes & retorned the xvj A
of the same & Charles came to dwell w* me.

The xviij* day of May my Cosen Alib. came to my howse.

The same day I bought Kembolds grey horse for iij u vj* viij d .

The XX th day of May in the mornynge Anne Kembold was deliuered
of a girle, & M r Briggs died at Brettenham.

The xxix^ day of May my cosen Bulwer came to my house.

The seconde day of June I was at my Cosen Muskett

The V th day Charles had his livery cote.

l See note 1 on p. 88.
52

412 APrENDOC-

100L The xx** lie went to the free schole at Box ford.

The hist of May beinge Wbitaonday, Richarde Bronde the eldist
sonne of John Broods of Boxforde, clothier, died* De mtr&re ant mi d
pairis mi iram*

The v* of June Mr* Powle did shewe me an Infamous libel writtni
in Rymmg verses, made as I suppose of P. E*

The xij lh of July I went to Helton. The same day I dyned at Mr*
Manocks, of Gyflords hall.

The 14 of July my cosyn Alibaat' was removed out of the Tower
into Framingham Castle.

The xxvij" 1 of July Augustine Podde beinge about JJ & vj jem 1
olde Died 10 daies after he eame out of Bury Gaile, & the Unit dit
of Sept next his wife died*

The xxvij" 1 of July there was made a Rate by me & Ditto of the
townemen of Groton, for the Repaccons of the church, & we viewed
the Decay of the ieades.

The first of August my cosen Adam Winthrop & my eosen Ski
Frost his Bister came from London to Groton.

The 3 of Aug. my coseu Adam W. & I did ride to Holton, *
viewed the pewter w** was given to his wife & her sister. The sanr
day my brother did ryde towards London.

The v, I sent my Auditt Aceoumpt to Ipswich to The Laster »
be ingrossed by him in pchera! *

The vj lh Day of Aug. Roti Surrey did marry M: P.

The viij day my ij neeces being sisters the daught 1 * of my brou*r
W* Winthrop did ride from Groton towards London, The one bd
not seene the other xxj yeres before.

The 17 day of August Anne Page, that was my servant iij jm*
died at her mothers in Groton*

The xxj** day Sara Cely was marled to Robte Humfrey at Hi$aii
Churche w^out a license pr hmem ignotu*

The 14 day [Sept] I was at Hockley at a Court for WilT Cos •
lay the same night at Mrts Broods.

The 17 day I was at Lanham, before the Escheto' for my brother.

The XXV th day of Sept. Mr. Clopton kept a Court at CaaUeyai U
& I was of the horn [?].

1 Eigbty-ftix year*.

1 Adam m* at this time the auditor of Trinity CoUtgv, Camhttdfe, sad

of St, John's College also. Sec p. 32-

DIABY OF ADAH WINTHBOP. 413

The iij* of Octobre my brother kept a Court at Groton Hall, where 1601.
we had pike to dynn' that was iij qrt" of a yarde longe, vt puto.

The iiij* 1 * day of Oct Will m Gardin* did his penance in Groton
Churche sine lodice $ valde impenitentem.

The 23 of Octobre I took vplande for the poore, at Mr. Sampson's
Court.

The 24 my brother had a verditt against Fowle in the gnilde hall
in London, & Recoued C" damages.

The 12 [Nov.] the Erie of Desmond dyed at London.

The 30 being S! Andrews Day I was witnesse to Andrew Mr.
Dreslyes soonne.

The v* of Decemb. I ridde to Cambridge & beganne the Auditt the
7* being© Monday.

The xiiij* 11 of Decembre I retourned from the Auditt & did see the
Sonne in the Eclips, about 12 of the Clocke at noone.

The uj 1 * 1 being St Thorns day Robte Hurnfry & Sara his wife
came to my howse in Groton.

The 18 of Decembre my Cosyn Munnyng came to Groton.

The 23 of Decembre I felt an Erthquake.

A* 1601 et

A festo Nativitatis Dhi firi Jem Chri. eEeT

44to.

The 2 of Jan. Mr. Mannocke sent me iij yardes of satten for a token Jmnaiy.
of this nue yere.

The 22. John Frenche died. The same day I did ryde to Spring-
fielde & from thence to London.

The iiij* day of ffeb. Nicholas Strut the Riche Gothier of Hadleighe
died being© not 1 yeres olde.

The 27 of ffeb. I was at my cosen Munynges, & fownde him sicke
4b weake.

The same day Mres Bonde died & made me her execute*. The 2
of Marche she was bnryed.

The xiij^ of Marche Mr. Philip Tilney Esq* Died.

The vij* of Aprill I was appointed by ST W* Waldegraue & iij
other Justices to be one of the ouseers of the poore & one of the Serch- [1602.]
en of Clothe w*in Grot* Juratus $ oUxgatus.

The xij* of Aprill Hen. Hartw. was maryed to E. Rawlyn in alieniM
*e$tibu$.

The 20 of Aprill Martyn Fiend died.

The 29 of Aprill Mr. Frith pson of Harwell was here.

414

APPENDIX,

1^02- The X th of May my daughtf Anne had a ntie gowne brought from
London* & the next day my wife did ryde early in the morning to
Harwell.

The 25 of Maye Diuers houses in Melford were burned.

The 28 day Peter Parson died suddenly.

The last Day I was at the Hundred Court of Baber, where I to
a Rentall of the C, to the BayUffe,

The [&&«*] of June John Barkers eldest soonne was Browned in
the River behind® the mill of Boxfbrde.

The last day of June (?) it thundred & lightned a great part of Utf
night, & sett a tree on fyre in Stoke parke, w* burned iiij dayes.

On Saturday the vij** 1 of August my sister Mildmay, my C»m
Thomas her soonne, my Coaen Browne & bis wife came to my house &
Departed the xiijth.

The is^ day my sister Alib% [and] my sister Veysye came to mj
bouse, where fy ve of vs that are brethren & eystera tnett & made
merry, w** we had not doonne in xvj yeres before.

The 26^ day ©f Aug- John Goslings wyfe was buryed,

The tenth day [Sept,] I was at Smalbridge & dined w* olde S: IP
Waldegrave & bad his hand & seale to a Certificate.

The XT* 11 day Sarah Alibast* died at Cokhest!

The 16 day the Arbitral betwene my Brother & Powle did nwete
at the Wbighte Lion in Groton, & ther was Powle, Payne & Spenser
witnesses for hT

The xx th of Sept. Stephen Piend the yongeet soonne of mris Reod
died of the Pockes.

The xxij* 1 " Tho: Piend her [Won*] soonne died of the same disease.

The xxiij 1 * I sent Tho. Mildmay to Springfilde,

The xxix 1 * Day of Sept. ray brother Veysye Departed out of Hota
Hall,

Thin moneth many died of the pox© in Groton, & many were afcfcti
of that disease.

A festo S? Mi'ihh Arch* Ad Efie Miz, xliiip, et A6 Dhi 1002.

The last day of Sept. Willm Hills entered Holton Hall, & began to
dwell there.

The xxj 1 * my sister Weston came to my bouse, & she & my wift
parted the lynnen w^ my sister Hilles did give to her ij Daught"

The 27 th day in the mornyng the Bell did goe for mother Tifejn,
but she rceouered.

B

DIARY OP ADAH W1NTHKOP. 415

The Arete day of Decembre my cosen Tho. Mildmay died at Spring- 1(H)2.
fild.

The 2* of December I rode to Cambridge.

The viij* day John my sooime was admitted into Trinitie Col-
lege. ^

The xxj* day my brother Alibast* came to my house & toulde me
y* he made ctayne inglishe verses in his sleepe, w** he recited vnto me,
& I lent him xl*.

A festo nativitaf Dhi y A 9 1602.

The iiij* of Januarry I rode to Springfild & the vj* I Dyned at
Danbury w* Mr. Humfrey Mildemay, & I retourned home the
yij*

The xth I dined w* Mr. Dr. Johanes at my brother Snellings.

The ivy* day I ridde to the Sessions at Bury to give evidence
against ctein clothiers for strayning.

The xviij 111 daye Wilhn Gale did give oner his office of High
Constableshippe, & John Gale of Hadleigh was sworne in his
place*

The ix* of ffeb. I received a Ire from my brother, out of Ireland, by
James his man.

The xxj* the Assises were holden at Bury, where Cricke was in-
dited, accused for whitchcrafte.

At the same assises Mr. Rolfe, Mr. [ftfawfc] & other of the Justices of
the peace were not named in the Comission.

The 23* of ffeb. my cosen Walter Mildmay came to bonrde w* me,
& depted the XXX th of m.

The first of March Josephe Brond was maried to Anne Strutte.

The 2 of Marche my soonne went to Cambrige, the same day James Mr. Aple-
Departed from Groton. ££* *

On Wedensdaye the xxiij* of Marche Que Elizabeth died, 1 & James M M n
the vj* Kinge of Scotland was pclaymed the next day at London, & on
Saturday the xxvj* 11 at Colchest* and Sudbury, w* great reioicinge of
all men.

The Hi}* of Aprill Mr. Brampton Gurdons wife died in Childbed, of
the x* Childe.

1 The date of Queen Elizabeth's death was the 24th, and is given correctly a few
paragraph* after this.

416

APPENDIX.

I603.

The vi}* of Aprill Robt Surrey wife lay speecheleese, 4 the
went for her, but she died the atiij*.

The XJ* of April! I & my Wyfe Did ride to Bockinge, to tbt
Christening of my Cosin Firming Childe, who was named Josephs,

The xvip Day of Aprill I received a Ire from my brother, dated
from Asmore the 23 of ffeb. 1602, & also another from James Elwdl
written from London the xiiij* of April!.

The same day M F John Coe of Tomblyna came to Groton Guinte
to momyng prayer.

Ah anno pritno tfegni B$ JmoU primu

_

:Uyto*rd It

^aihnc«4
aisemty

On tUumday the 24 th of Marche Quoenc Elisabeth died at
mo ude of the age of lxvi yores vj monethes <fe [Mwdfe] dajei,

Tlie same daye was James the vj 1 * 1 Kinge of Scotta proclaimed it
Xoudou, kinge of England, France & Irelande.

The u§* of Aprill Dr. Nevill M r of Trmitie College in Cambri^
Deane of Canterbury went towarde Scotlande to the Kinge,
the Arcbb. of Cani f bury, in the name of the Clergie.

The xvj Ul of Aprill being Saturday the Kinge* Mat' came to lie
Citty of Yorke.

The xviij of Aprill Mr, Clopton toulde me that the Kinge had §w«n*
the Erie* of North umohind & CumtVtand of his privy Council'. A also
the L. Tho. Howard & the L. Mountague, & that the lord Howarde
should be L. Chamolayne.

The x* of Aprill the Erie of Southamton & S r Henry Nevill were
deliuered out of the Tower by a Ire or warrant sent from the Kinge oot
of Scotlande, Dated 5° Aprilis.

The [blank] of Aprill S r Rob' Cecill & Dius others went to meete the
Kinge at Yorke.

The 21 the Kinge did come to Shrewsbery, the 22 to Nuewarcke,
the 23 to Bever Castle.

The xxiij 01 of Aprill the Justices of the peace were sworne to the
Hinge, & appointed Justices by force of a nue Comission.

The 28 th day was the funeralles kept at Westm for o r late Queene
Elizabeths

The [Widt] day the Kinges ma* 7 was at Cambrige.

The third of May the K. came to Teboldes to S r Robert Goto
howse.

DIARY OF ADAM WINTHROP. 417

The first daye of May being Sondaye there were iiij howses burned 1603.
at Leigham.

The X th Day of Maye Nicholas Coky the yonger was maried to Eli-
zabeth Cooke.

M d that the K. ma** sett forthe a proclamation giuen at Theobaldes
the vij" 1 of May against licenses granted by the late Q. to private psons
of all monopolies, & against prophaning of the Saboth by intrudes,
Bulbaytings & all other games.

The xi of May I sent to Harwell & writt Ires to my L. Bisshop of
Bathe.

On Munday the seconde of Maye, one Keitley a blackesmythe
dwellinge in Lynton in Cambridgeshire had a poore man to his ffather
whom he kepte. A gentleman of the same Towne sent a horse to
shoe, the father helde vp the horses legge whilest his soonne did shoe
him. The horse struggled & stroke the father on the belly w* his
fbote & ou'threwe him. The soonne laughed therat & woulde not
helpe his father vppe, for the w** some that were their pnt reproved
him greatlye. The soonne went forwarde in shoinge of the horse, &
when he had donne he went vppon his backe, mynding to goe home
w* him. The horse pntly did throughe him of his backe against a
poete & clave his hed in sonder. M** - Mannocke did knowe the man,
fcr bis mother was her nurse. Grauejudiciu Dei in irrisorem patris mi.

The same daye of May the Bishop of Norw ch came ryding throughe
Boxforde towards Norw ch .

The 28 day of May Nicholas Reeve was lett downe into a well of
goodman Coles at Holton by a ladd r , & the ladd r being pulled vp did
fell downe into the well, & bruised him sore on his backe, he being
benethe in the well.

The vi)* Day of June olde Doare of the age of lxv yeres maried
Hargarett Coe the pedlers daught*. The xj" 1 her sister died, & the
••me day I sawe a grey conye in my woode yarde.

The 14 my cosen Bulwers wife came to my house & toulde
*&e that my cosen T. M. childe was borne at Wetherden, & named
fionor.

The 17 of June I rid w tt Mr. Powle to Colchest' to sit vppon a

Omission w* S r W m Aylofe to inquire of the Wardshippe of Will"

j ■A.yletts daughters, but the Jury founde no tenure in Capite for the

Mr. Powle was in danger to haue bin killed by Gilbt Vintener

wifes brother.

418

APFENDIX.

1603* The last of June Mr Alyston vicar of Acton borrowed of me the
Hemes Testament in Englishe.

The xvij** Day of July Aleocks beastes were la my barley- The same
day my wife lent Mres Sands xx\ vppon a siluer & gilt Bait seller, &
I lent 1' to Will 83 Cot? the day before.

The 23 lh daye of July my brother MUdmay was made knight m
Whight-haU; my soonne came from Cambrige.

The 25 daye the kinges ma"* was crowned at Westm\

The same dale Rob* Surrey was marled to John DogeUs nmk,
Thomasin Hubbard.

The 26 Daye Mr. Bronde kept his Court at Edwardstom, & W*
Daye & bis wyfe made a S r rend r to me, &c

The vj of Aug. my Cosen Math. Still ridde to Cambrige*

Thfi v lh day wag celebrated for the kings Delhierance in Scotland
the same Day of the moneth A K [W™Jfc] from being murdered I
Erie of Go wry, Mr Birde preached at Boxforde vppon the 124 psalms
pie $ docte.

The V th of August William Wymerkes only soonne was killed tt
Cambridge w 01 a peece of a gunne w* h brake & killed iij more, lie w#
seholler of Trmitie College: & about xiiij yeres olde.

The xvj* 11 Day M™* Waldgrave died.

The xx\x tk of August Bridgett the wife of G, Fitehe, & before d
John French & John Gosse, died of a consumption.

The xvij lh daye the geuatl fast was kept at Boxford, & the xxiiij*
at Groton, by the Kinges comandement

The first of Augnst I beganne to cast the great ponde in the Bam
close, & tooke out of it 7 great earpes.

ffrom the 25 of August vntill the first of SepL there died of tb*
plauge in London & w^out in the Subvrhes m c nrW xxxy psoas. 1

The iiij* 11 of Sept. my cosen Munnyng came to Groton, & I gaue Ha
iv books of Lewes Granatensis,

The vj" 1 of Sept the fast was kept the 2 tyme at Groton* & Mr.
Newton preached his first S T mon vppon the 4 of Amos, 1%

The xxj th my cosen Alibasf came to my howse & shewed me li»
pdon Dated the x** of Septembre,

i Ww una intended for 33S& person*?

i

DIARY OF ADAM WINTIIROP. 421

The same day the Bailiffe of Rayleighe warned me to the Court. 1604.

The XXX th of August Johane Betts my maide did wounde John
Wailleys my man in the hed w* her patten, for the w ch she was very sory.

The first of Sept I was before S r W" Waldegrave, S r Tho. Eden &
Mr. Gurdon to answere to Coes complaint made against me for occupi-
engc of Stone medowe.

The seconde of Sept. my daught r Anne was at Ipswche at the ma-
nage of my Cosen Sparrowes maide.

The iiij* 11 of Sept Henry Cooke th'eld* did mary Johane Betts my
maide, he beinge lx yeres oulde & she xxxv, & his father then livinge
of thage of xc yeres.

The V th I was at Bures & dined w* M r Thorns Waldegrave.

The vij* of Sept. I rec d a pryvye seale of x u . The same Day Tho:
Kedby was arrested.

The xij* daye of Sept I first heard of the Death of my sister
Cottye, who died the ix* Day of August last beinge of the age of 51
yeres 9 monethes & [Mm*] dayes.

The viij" 1 of Sept Thomas Coe the eldest sonne of Thorn* Coe of
Boxforde, gent my god sonne died of the age of xix yeres & x
monethes.

The ix* of Sept Mr. Dudley Foscue did hangc him selfe at Mres
Triram" his wiues mothers house nere Cambridgshire, viz 1 , at Blunts
hall in Little Wrattinge.

Tlie xxij* I lent the kings ma u * x u vppon a privie seale.

The xvj* I was at Hadley & Holton, & dyned at Mr. Wm Manocks
in Stoke.

The xx* of Octobre John Speede came to me for the residue of his
granfathers legacye.

The 24 I rode towards London & retorned the XXX th of the same
mont'th.

The same day it was pclaymed that England & Scotland shoulde be u Oct
called Great Brittaine.

The V th of Novembre my soonne did ryde into Essex w* Willm Forth
to Great Stambridge.

The last of Novemb. I rode to Cambridge to keepe the Audit at
Trinitie Colledge, & I ret. the XV th of December.

The xxvj* of Decembre Mr. Tasker died.

The xiiij* 11 of Jan. my Cosen Nath. Still came to G.

The XV th day Josephe Cole & Marye Gale were maried betymes in
the mornynge.

-

422 APPENDIX.

1604. The xv of ffeb. my Coaen W m Hildmayes late wife Died b the
Tower of London.

The xxiij 1 * T. F. came to Groton, & was maried to my naught*
Anne the xxv 1 * & they departed toward Loudon, the xxvij 1 * day of fifeb^

The v m of March the Wyndmille in Boxforde was blowen dowue f 4
Will* Jar mid & ij others were sore hurt tberby, whereof he died tk
vij of Marche.

The xij of Marche I sonlde Mr- Mannocke ixj^ sheepe for ir"
xij\

The xiij"' of Marche the Assises were at Bury.

The same day Mr. Powlca onlie aoonne died of th'age of vij
& his wile died the xx" 1 of Marche.

The xiiij lb I & my soonne viewed ou Mr. John Foorthes land at Car-
ney & Hartley,

The xxj* of Marche Mris Powle was buried.

The xv** of Marche Mres Browne was condemned of petit Treasoa
for pfuringe one Peter Gouldinge to murder her husband, Mr. Browne,
for the w oh facte the said Peter was hanged & she burned quicks at
Bury the xix 1 * of Marche*

The name daye I received a Ire from my brother out of Ireland, dated
&MartijIG04.

The xx vj* of Marche I & my soonne did ride to Mr. John Foortbtf
of Greate Stambridge in Ess*,

The xxviij" 1 day my soonne was soUemly contracted to Mary Foorth
by Mr* Culverwell minister of Greate Stambridge in Essex* 06 ttm*
setifu paretUu.

1605_ A feMo Anne bU Marie Virginit Occmrrentia,

The zxx 1 * of Marche my brother Wynthrop came to Chehms-
ford.

The v th my brother came to Groton, after his Retome out of Ireland,
& departed the ix* 11 of June.

The ix th my sonne did ryde into Essex*

The xvj* h of Apr-ill he was married at Great Stambridge, by Mfc
Culverwell, A* etalis me 17* 3 mensifats & 4 diebus tompletii*

1 Tkoma* Foaea was the husband of Adam 1 a daughter Anne. See paga 50, ■&*
note 1-

DIARY OF ADAM WINTHROP. 423

•the 25 Day of Aprill M** Anne Clopton was marryed to John 1605.
Mayston of Boxsted gent

The 27 John Johnson the Taylo* died.

The viij 111 of May my soonne & his wife came to Groton from Lon-
don & the ix* I made a manage feaste, when S r Tho™ Mildmay & his
lady my sister were pnt

The same day my sister Veysye came to me, & departed on fryday
the 24 of Maye.

My dauter Fones came the viij 01 of May, & depted home the xxiij*
of Maye.

On Monday the third day of June, John Gosling of Groton & John
Massey of Edwardston died.

The vj tt of June Mr. Will m Manocke dined at my house in Groton.

The viij* 11 my Cosen Duke was dd of hir first sonne before her
tyme.

The ix* I did ride w* my brother Wynthrop into Ess. & retorned
the xvij* 11 .

The XX th my brother departed from London towards Irland.

The same day I cutt my bearde. Male.

The 26 it thundred & lightened wond r fullye.

The first of July my Cosen Wa. Mildmay & his wyfe came.

The 3 of July I did ride to Bury to th assises, & the XV th to th
assises at Chelmisford.

The xviij 111 day of July Mr. Welshe the pcher of Little W. died,
& was buried in the said Churche the XX th of July. Mr. Knewstub
pched the funerall se r mon, & he w** other preachers caried his coffin on
ther shoulders.

The xxnij* 11 of July I & my wife, w* my soonne & his wife did
ride to the Baptising of John Hilles the sonne of W m Hilles of
Holton.

The next day my soonne & his wife did ride to her fathers in
Essex.

The 29 of July the Sessions were kept at Groton by S r W m Walde-
graue, S T Tho : Eden, Mr. Gurdon, Mr. Clopton, S r G. Waldegraue,
Mr. Cratchreede, Mr. Walton.

The XXX th of July Mr. Clopton kept a Court at Castleines
Hail.

The first of August my soonne Fones came to Groton from London.
The same daye H. M. pched at Boxford a very godly & learned s v mon Mannings,
vppon the v chap, of Gen. v. 1. 2. 3.

424

APPENDIX,

1 005. The iiij** of Aug. Johane Cooke was dd of a girle* an Mermophro-

The ti^* of August Edward Alstons eldest soue was borne in Box*
fordo & M"* Wheder died.
Jam. 4, Th e ^xix** ^ r - Rogers preached at Boxford. The same day my #oawj
l ' *• *i 4 did ride to Stambridge.

The third of Sept Mr. Manock & his eldest Sonne dyned at my
house.

The »• I was sworae at Stowe before S r W m Waldegrave & otier
Cbmig&ioft^s for to inquire of Recusants landes & goodes.

•as it

-

A feMo set Michu Am RE* JucoU #r* Trrcio*

The viij" 1 [Oct.] the goodwyfe Lappage was buried.

The xxix* of Oct Justine Nicholson was maryetl to Jodtm Stotkrr
at Edwardston.

The iij 4 of Decemb* I did ryde to the Audttt ai Trinity CcH*
rejourned the xrij*.

The x'* of Decetnb. Eliz. Piene waa maried*

The iiij**' of Jan : Mr. Tomkes a fellowe of Trinitie College was it
my house*

The rviij* of January my Cosen Wa: Mildmay & tiij otfc*
made a great sturre at Bury.

The xxx & xxxj of Jan. viij traito ,, were hanged & Q'tered, wherof
Ambrose Rookewood of Coldhm hall in Suff. was one.

On Wedensday in the morning the 12 of ffeb. my soonnes first
soonne was borne in Groton.

The 23 of ffeb. beinge Sunday my soonnes first soonne was baptized
& named John. 1

The seconde of March being Sunday, about vij of the Clocke in the
evenynge the goodwyfe Dogett died.

The vj th of Marche being Thursday Henry Vinten thelder died of
thage of lxx yeres.

The XV th day of March ther were great stormes of wynde, w* did
muche hurt to howses.

The same daye Thorn* Humfreys howse was burnt downe at Mel-
fourde.

1 A rich christening robe of embroidered satin, which is said to have bees
worn by the future (Jovernor of Connecticut on this occasion, has long bee* i»
possession of the Hon. David Sears, one of his lineal descendants.

DIARY OF ADAM WINTHROP. 425

The XV th day of Aprill I kept a Court for my brother Snelling at 1606.
Shimplinge.

The XIX th of Aprill my sister Snellinge sent me xxiiij* 1 * younge n
pigeons to store my dove house. .

The xxiij th of Aprill Mr 1 * Clopton sent me [blank] pigeons & Steven
Plomb a payre of tame pigeons.

The xxvyj* I kept a Court at Groton Hall.

The iij d of Maye I putt xlv younge pigeons into my nue Dovehouse.

The yj* of -Maye I was at a Court in Hadleighe, & did fealty for a
Tenem' & ctaine landes.

The viij 111 of Maye Willm Gale of Hadley died.

The 26 my soonne & his wife w* their soonne did ride to Hadley.

The 27 Mr 1 * Alston & her sister Mary dined w tt me.

The 29 Nath. & Phebe were maryed & kept ther dinn r at Deathes
on Homers greene in Groton.

The X th of June John Dixon theld' died in Groton.

A festo ruUivitaf ** Johis Baptiste. 24 Junij.

On Sunday the [Wan*] of June the Q. was dd of a Daughter.

The 29 I kept a Court at Shimplinge.

The viij* 11 of July Mr. Brampton Gurdon was maried to his seconde
wife.

The 28 of August Mr. Arminger had a fall of his horse & brake his
legge.

The first of Sept. I did give an estate to my soonne in the house &
lande called Wrights in the ffenne.

The thirde of Sept we did ride w* Mr. Sands to Stambrige, & the
▼j* my sonne tooke an estate.

The ix* of Sept. my Cosen Laysters wife came to my house, &
the X th goodwife Ponde was dd of hir third sobnne.

The same day the great Appletree next the kille house was fyred
for to distroy a hornetts nest

The xxiiy* of Sept Mr. Sands p'ched at Groton, & dyned w* me.
v* same day Bonde atturned to my sonne.

The xviij** M* 1 * Alston & her sister dined w* me.

The XIX th day John Still came to my house.

The thirtieth of Sept Beniamin Bronde was maryed at Ipswich to
biank'] Cutler. The same day I dyned at Mr. Sands.

1607

xiiij'* the Bell went at Groton for fathc* Cooke <
for Zachary Bondc,

The same day 1 rec" a Ire from my Lady Mildmay & write her u
answere pntly*

The XXV th day John Cooke of tillage of c yerea died*
The 30 my sooune did ride to London by Stanibridge.
The seconde tier fell mudbe Suowts & Rayne.
The vj* Zachary Bond died.

The ix* Jane Kedby was maryed to Thomas Driffild a dtinfi &
Grocer of London.

The xiiij" 1 M^ Goodday & W* Pointell were w* me.
The xvij 01 of December Stephen Plombc was marled alt
The [&&»«*] daye Tho. Fitch was &layne*

The first of Jan : Mr- Armiger & Us wife & her sifter Alston irod
at my howse, with OxP others.

The viij^ of Jan : father Smyth of Toppesfild eaine to roc, A
brought me a fatt Capon, & James Botts a bottle of secke* Also M*
Alston sent me a fatt goose & a bottle of muskadine, on nue yerei daw 1 .
The xj of Jan, Simon Blutnfild sent me ij Capons,
The xy** I salt vppon a Comission w* M r ClopLon at LanhnL
The XX th of Jan, was veiy tempestuous & wyndye* w** did mark
harme to howses & trees.

The 21 of Jan : I & mj soonne did give warnyuge to Poude toltwt
the copy landes.

The 10 M r Mcholaa Hubbarde died.
The xviij 41 * I did keepe a Court at Toppesfild.
The xx 1 * the Assises were holdeu at Bury.

The 2G John Wyuthrop was weaned, The same Day I went to Brrt-
tenhm & brought my cosens wyfe to my house.
The first of April! John Bogas th* d* died.
The \ ij* I was at Hadkigh at the manage of S T . Vi m \\ <
map j whereat was a great e offerings

DIARY OF ADAM WINTHROP. 427

The viij* of Aprill Thomas Polley was maryed to Anne Speed, toe 1607.
whom I p d xxv u .

The xiij 11 * of Aprill my Cosen Nath Still came to my house &
brought me a Ire from his father.

The xiiij* day I was at Hadley to S r vey Robert Veysyes howse &
lande for my L. BB. of Bathe.

The xxj* of Aprill my sonne & his wyfe did ride into Essex, to hir
fathers.

The 26 of Aprill, Richd. Cooke sen. died & was buryed.

The [blank'] of June John Rofttson died.

The 3 of July Justine Nicholson the wife of John Stocker was dd
of her first soonne.

The same day Jo. Nutton did give my soonne a fawne.

The 22 of July I was sworne one of the grande Jury at thassises
then holden at Bury, before my L. Coke. Mr. Ryce was the fore-

The 23 Miles the Inform' stoode on the pillory, & the next daye
Bowman, a promoter. Also Wyles a merch 1 of Ipsw** was arrayned
& condemnd for poysonynge one Aldriche, his wives first husband,
who denied the fact at the time of his deathe, 27 Julij, 1607.

The third of Aug. Anne Gosling & Fra, Kedby were maryed.

The 14 of Aug. the bridge in Howfild was made.

The XT 111 of Sept my ten 1 John Ravens died.

The xvj* Mr. Tho. Waldgraue & M r . W m Clopton made an awarde
betweene me & Mr. Powle.

The 22 th of September I p d Mr. Powle x" in full satisfaction of all
matt 1 " in question, & he sealed me a genall releas, Dated the same
daye, & I sealed to him a Releas of all accions psonaly, dated the twen-
tythe of September, in the presence of Mr. Clopton, & my soonne, &
James Dixon.

M d that the 29 of September being Michillmas day, olde Surreys
wyfe did fall into the water at Homers brooke, in Groton, & was in dan-
ger of drownyng if Podds wyfe had not stept into the water & holden
vp her hed vntill more helpe came to pull her out.

A festo Set Micadis Archly afto supradicto.

The vj* of October I kept a leete & Court Baron for Mr. Edward
Newport at Bromley hall in Essex.

430

APPENDIX ,

1 €08. The xm^ of Sept S' Isaac Appulton, knight, died at little Waldmg-
field.

Tlic 28 th the Court was kept at Groton hall by John Potter, tfc
same day my sister Winthrop came to my house, & EHje, Hilk* hml i
Mi tor,'

A festo set Mtchis Archt Ano mpr dtclo.

The ii]* of Octobre my cosen Nathauuell Still & U» brother Ml
were at Groion/

The iiij' h S T Robert Crane sent Im Cache for me? my wyfe 4: u
Daught' Winthrop, to dine w* him at Chilton.

The vj lb Air* Ben : Brood kept Court & leet at Edward&tou,

The x fh of Oetobrc my soonne & faia wyfo departed from Grokrfi
dwell at Staitibridge in Essex.

The xj* h day Robert Waspc died & was buryed.

The xxj (t my daught' Jane & Elk, HiUee went to Clnlton ball

The xxij** my soonne Foues came to Groton. And the xxiiij" "i
the morninge my daughter his wife was dd of hir fin* duld*\ i
daughter.

The same day I kept a Court at Broraeley hall.

The xxvj' 11 S f Robert Crane came to my howm

The 2 of November ray daught* Fonea daught' was Cliri»ttiu*iL
Root Crane & his Lady were pnt, & she was witnesse w u Mres. Sam-
son & M ret Bronde & my selfe. She named the Childe Dorothey.

The xt)* day Mr. Clopton, Mr. B. Gurdon & IX Duke were comit-
ted to the ffleete by my L. Chancello'.

The 24 Mr Parson of muche Bentley preached at Boxford.

The seconde day of December I did ryde to Cambridge.

The same day my brother Weston, the Vicar of Wormingfordc in
Essex died.

The iiij th of December Barnabe Warde, my tenant, died.

The xij* of December I retorned home from the Auditt

The xix th of Dece. my soone Fones & his wyfe w* their little
Daught r Depted towards London. 24° flia sua in lecto mortua erf
tnventa.

A festo set Nativitatis Dni Nri Jem Chri.

The xij th of January Mr. Sands preached at Boxford.
The XIX th M r Carewe preached at B : & I dyned w* him at Mr.
Brondea, Sc muche sua we felL

DIARY OF* ADAM W1NTHROP. 431

The 26 Mr. Chaplayne did preach at Boxford. 1608.

The 4 of ffeb. I went to Hadley to see my sister Alib. The same

ye John Wynthrop hurt his forhed w* a fall.

The vj ih of ffeb. Dr. Some M r of Peter house died, & Dr. Playfere

*1 the [Wan*] of January.

The 21 of ffeb. Harry Pease brought me a Ire from my soonne.

The last of ffeb. John Rawlinson graffed xx heds for me in my

e orcharde. The wynde blue very colde & Bough out of the west, &

febant oes.

The 2 of Marche Mr. Sands pched at Boxford, after his retoume

►m London.

The xj* S r Henry Mildmay my nephew came to 6. & the next day,
ing Sonday, he ryd to Bury.

The xiij* 11 th assises were holden at Bury.

The xviij* 11 S r Willm Waldegrave tooke a genal view of Diu's townes
Assington for the pviding of Armo r .

The last of Marche the Comissions did sett at Bury, for the levienge 1609.

Aide to make the prince knight.

The 3 of Apriil my sister Winthrop came to Groton, w* her Cosen
lomas Springe.

The vj* goodwife Potter the midwife died.

The xiiij* 11 day my soonne John W. & his wife came to my house .

>m Stambridge in Essex.

The first of May my wyfe did ryde w* my soonne & his wyfe into
ssex to Stambridge. The same day Mr. Nicholsons soonne was to be
rayncd at the gr u Sessions in Bury. &c

The xj* of May Mr. Cartar pched at Boxford. Rom. 6. 12.

The first of June my nephew S r Henry Mildmay was maried to S r
r illm Harris his Daught' of Crickesey.

The 27 thassises were holden at Bury.

The xj* of August my soonne was taken w* a fierce ague, & the
riij* I rodde to Stambridge to see him, & retorned the xxij 111 .

The seconde of Sept. Mr. Knewstub preached at Boxf.

The v* of September Thomas Walton, Esq r Died at Hadley of the
$e of lx yeres.

The xiij** day I kept a Court at Toppeffilde. October.

The xviij* day Will" Gale had a house burnt.

The xxv* my soonne kept his first Court at Groton hall, where a
ecouery was sued against Ed. Rofttson.

432

AprEJront.

| Gill', The first day of Novernbre John Rnwlinge kept a feast at his nue
bonne, where Mr. Thorns Tilncy, Mr- Dogect, & din" othe rs dined.

The viij* 4 * I did ryde towards London & reloumed the xiiij 1 *'-

The xij 1 * I did heare D r Kinge preache a Sermon at 8* Andre we* in
Hoibrone, yppon the 14. Job, v* L pt> <£ erudite.

The xxiij* of Novemb* I went to Lanham to my sister Win-
throp.

The xix 1 * of December my soonne John Wintlirop & toy nrphcwe
Abraham Yeysie caine to Groton.

The xxx"* Day of Decembr my sonnes third sonne wan borne at
Stambrfdge in Essex.
January The 22 & 23 Mr. Dr. Meriton came to speake w* me about Uw
resigninge of my office in Trinity College to Mr. Brookes

The xiiij ,h of JMarehe I Djned at D r Meritons in Hartley, & Re-
ceived of him a xx 11 for my Audito'shippe.

One Smidaie the 21 ,h of January my daughter Fonc* was ddof hn
second e Daughter,

One thursday the 25** Mr* Dr, Jones preached at Boxf on the S
Chap, of Eeelesiastes v, 1, 2, S, 4 t 5, 6, f M &

The 26. Hutlio Sind p lande was drowned & I inquired vppGD hir
Di'iilh as Coroner.
. The 27 I surrendered my Anditorship in.Trinityc College Jo Ik? M T ,

fellowes <& sehollere before a pub. notary.

The xiij tb of ffeb. I was godfather to Jasp Riddlesdab Daughter.

On Wertensday the thirde of Marche S r John Spenser of Loiuiw
Died suddenly, as he was pu Hinge on his nether-stocks in the momp£i\
& was buryed the [Mint] of Marehe,

The xj lh of Marehe Mr. Kncwstub preached at Boxford.

The xiiij^ thassises were holden at Chelmesfordc by Baron AlthS
only, & S r Tho : Mildmay of Barnes in Springfild was higlie ^briTe.
1G10, On Munday the jpg* of A prill M r Rich. Brooke the nue Attftitf tf
Trinity College was at my bouse in Groton, to whom I dd* diiT p«|?
liooks &. Roles tow r chinge his office.

On flryday the xviij of May my wife did ride to London w a M res
P'yne. Mr. Bronde died suddenly.

On Munday in the morninge Richarde Plum Died, of thage of JJ 13
yeres.

The same dale Thomas Page his wife was dd of ij Children.

On fryday the viij ,h of June Mr. Lovell the preacher died. ITr
bonus ac pins, nulli pietate secundus. ^Etatis 64.

ALMANACS OF ADAM WLNTHKOP. 433

The xiij 111 of Jane, my Cosen Munnynge & Mr. Marcellyne were at
my bouse, at w* tyme I did give my cosen a Scotch dagger & Mr.
Marcellyne a nue knyfe.

The xiiij* of June Mr. Rogers preached at Boxford.

The first of July, Henry Cooke my Tenant died of a Pluresye.

The same day my soonne John Winthrop came to Groton.

n.

MEMORANDA FROM THE ALMANACS OF ADAM
WINTHROP. 1

From a copy of Ponde's Almanac for 1603.

1 603. March 1 5. Einge James, Q. Anne, & Henry y* prince of Wales
rode through y* Cytty of London from y* Tower to WhighthaU.

19. The Parleament began at Westminster, where the E. made an
Eloquent Oration to y* Lordes & Comons.

March 24. Q. Eliz. died at Richmonde, and E. James was pro-
claymed, ano 1602. The same day S r Rob. Cary tooke his journey in
post towardes Scotland ; and w^in three daies he came to Edenbur-
rough, and certified the Einge thereof, being welneere 300 myles.

26. The E. was proclaymed in Berwicke.

27. The Towne was surrendered to the Einge's use.

April 6. K. James did enter Berwicke, and tooke possession therof.

April 8. His Ma* 7 did depart from Berwicke, and entered the
realme of Englande.

April 10. His Ma* 7 came to Nuecastel, before whom the Bishop of
Durham preached.

April 13. He came to Durham: and was entertayned by the
Byshop.

April 16. His Ma* 7 came to the Cyttye of Yorke.

April 17. He went on foote from his lodging to the Minster to
heare a Sermon w** the Byshop of Lymrick preached.

1 It will be perceived that while many of these memoranda relate to incident* which
occurred at the moment when the record waa made, many others of them give the
dates of events long past, and were probably transcribed from a previous diary.

55

434 APPENDIX.

April 25. As he rode backe from Burleigh to Sir L Harring. 1
His Ma* 7 " horse fel w 1 * him, and very dangerously bruyfled lus anne.

April 27* His Ma** dyned at S' Anth. Milderaayea.

May & Being Tuesday his Ma* 7 came to Theobalds, S r Rob, Ci*
cills house, wher met him the L. Keeper, y* L. Treasorer, y* L. Adnjy-
ral and most of y* Nobility*

May 7, Being Satterday bis Ma* 7 removed from Theobalds to-
wardes London*

May 11. Being Wednesday his Ma 17 went from the Charter house
to the Tower of London.

May 13. Being Fryday he created w^in y* Tower S' Robert Oicil
S p Rob. Sydney, S r W Knowles, & S r John WooUen, Barons. The 14
nue Serjantes tooke their othe at Westminster this terme ; and kept r*
feast in the nue Hal of y - middle Temple.

August 8. S* George Harvy Lieut oV of y* Tower died, 1605, kL
72.

Sept 4. Robert Dudley, Erie of Leicester, died 1588, at Cembury
in Oxfordshire, Eliz SO.

Sept 10. Ostende was deliTered by Composition nnto y* Duk© of
Burgoigne. 1004.

The 8 of Octobre 1605, S T Edwarde Lewkenor of Denham in
SufF. Knight, died of the smalpoeks. Vir honm et dochufmt tt pairia
amans. The lady his wife died two dayes before him.

Oct 17. S r Philip Sydney died, 1586.

Oct 31. George Erie of Cumberlande died, 1605.

Dec. 1. My nephew Th. Mildmay died, 1602.

Dec 4. Dr. Whytaker died at Cambridge, 1595.

Dec 12. John Hanham died, 1599.

From a copy of Hoptoris Almanac for 1614. 8

On Nue yeares day the Lady Elizabeth, the County Palatines wyfe,
was safely delivered of a Soonne, at Heydelberg in Germany.

Jan. 12. This day my sonne John was b. 1587. 26 yercs
since.

Feb. 6. W m Mildemay my nephew died.

1 Sir John Harrington, soon after created Baron of Exton.

2 Adam states, on the titlepage of this almanac, that it was the last prepared by
M Arthur Hopton, Gent.," and that he died the same year; adding these lines: —

" Hope not to have Hopton againe to write;
For deathe hathe fett away hia learned sprite."

ALMANACS OP ADAM WINTHROP. 435

Feb. 24. Tho. Lappage died of th' age of 82 y.

Feb. 27. W m Alibaster my nephew was borne 1567. 46 y. since.

Dum fuerit Roma, romanam colluit papam :

Sed patrim rediens, renuit itte papam.

Aprill 6. A general erthquake. 1580. 34 y. since.

April 19, 1614. S r Rob* Jermyn died — vir pius, et vera reUgionis
amans.

April 26. D r Perne died suddenly, 1589, 23 y. since.

Qui Christum duro tempore Uquit aniens.

May 31. Sir Wa : Mildmay died. 1589. 25 y. since.

Vir bonus et prudens, nulli pietate secundus.

June 9. D* Goldingham died. 1589. 25 y. since.

Qui mihi dum vixit charus amicus erat.

June the 16 th day the Erie of Northampton died.

Tempora dura Deus, tempora Iceta dedit.

July 29. Francys Mildmay my neece was borne. 1591. 23. y. since.

June. 30. S r Tho : Eden the elder died.

Aug 10. Ego A. W. natus fui 1548. 63 y. since. Anno 2 £. Edw.
VI. Mors mihi grata foret^jamq: satis vixi.

Aug. 26. S r W m Waldegrave, th' elder died. 1613.

Vir patrice charus, sed pietatis inops.

Sept. 4. The Erie of Leicester died. 1588. 27 yeres since.

Mors inopina venit, clausit avaro sinu.

Sept 9. Mr. St. Pine died.

Sept. 16. Mr. Knewstub & Mr. Egerton did lye at Groton.

Sept. 21. Mr. Jo. Marceline died.

Oct. 15. Nath. Stil was borne. 1579. 35 y. since.

Ad sacru fontem sponsor Sf testis eram.

Oct 29. The Lady Mountague died.

Vulnere quam subito mors inopina tulit.

This Lady was borne at little Waldingfielde in Suff. and first maried
to S* Leonarde Holyday, Knight, who had bin L. Maior of London, and
after his death to S r Henry Mountague the Kings Ma**" Serjant at the
Lawe.

Nov. 22. Thomas Garrarde died at Cambr.

Nov. 25. S r W m Waldegrave y 8 yonger died.

Nov. 27. S r Tho. Gresham died suddenly, 1579. 35 y. since.

Dives in hoc mundo, qui deo pauper erat.

Dec 12. Tho: Sutton the founder of the Hospital died 1611. 9
JacR.

1617. April 22.
p r ehed.

May 5, James Death died.

May 9. S r Fra : Bacon L, Keeper, eame to Wejtf minster- Hall with
1 jrrcat Company of noble men & others, to take hb place in tha
Chun eery.

May 14. Sergaut Hutton was sworne one of y" Justices of the
Coin on Plees.

June 4. A Court was kept at Groton Hall in the aftcrnoono*

June 7* Scnte y* wM* Canon 5\

June 10. Mr, Sand* was maried at Brettenham, Mr. Munnjngc
preached.

June IS, John Jamiynge died

August 9. Mr, W, Clop ton died 1G16.

August 12. M rit ttrondo iW elder died, 64 y.

Sept r 1. John Plombe beinge sicke, made his testament

Sept r 9. Th. Gostlin maried the wid : Blomfielde.

Sept r 11. Mr. Egerton & Mr. Knewstub pernoctabant nobisctim,

Sept r 17. My son first rid to Maplested.

Oct' 4. Hall the phisition died.

Oct r 18. Judith Spenser died at Colchester 22 y. olde.

Oct r 27. My son rode to London.

Oct 1 " 29. My Cosin Muninges eldest daughter was maried to
George Salter.

Nov r 18. S r Hen. Mild : & his lady came to Groton.

Nov' 25. My son returned from London.

I)ec r 12. Mr. Rich. Bromel died.

Dec' 13. M ri " Judith Gurdon died at S r Henry Mildmay's in
Essex.

Memorandum % to wright to S r Henry Mildemay by the goodman
Warde that my Cosen Hamonde who maried the widowe Bronde
came to Groton to taike w ft me about her buysines 6 Apr. 1618.

ALMANACS OF ADAM WINTHROP. 437

On Fryday the 24 th of Aprill 1618. [My] sonnes [third] wife came
first to Groton. She was maried to him the [torn] day of the same
moneth at Greate [Map]lested in Essex. Ano 1618.

From a copy of AUestree's Almanache for 1620. 1

1619. Jan. 6. My Cosin Henry Mildmay was baptised being 12
daies olde. The same day Mr. Chaplin preached at Boxforde.

Jan. 22. Thomas Alston of Giddy Hall died.

1620. Jan. 23. S r John Crooke died.

Jan. 24; Mr. Tindal & his wife came to Groton.
% Feb. 2. Jo. Potter the Attorney died in London.

March 8. The Assises at Bury, Mr. Mnninge preached before, the
Juges:

March 15. S r Jo. Deane & my lady dined w* us.

March 25. The year 1620 beginneth.

Aprill 17. Mr. Rogers of Dedham preached at Carsey.

May 9. Mr. Birde preached at B. & M 1 *" Bacon came to Gro-
ton.

June 18. Mr. Smyth of y* K. Colledge preached in Groton. My
Cosen Jeremy Raven preached at Boxforde on Sonday in the afler-
noone. 18 Junij 1620. Psal. 136. v. 15.

August 20. Mr. Daniel Rogers preached at Groton, & my cosen
Jer. Raven in y* afternoone.

26. S r Tho Savage sent halfe a bucke.

Sept. 10. Goodman Bemont died.

Sept. 12. Mr Chamber preached at his burial.

Sept 16. My cosen Tho: Alibaster died in Assington.

Oct 28. Mr. Sands began to pr. upon Jonah.

Nov. 10. Smith sent a hare, & Hare brought fowre pikerels.

Dec 9. This daye Mr. Grice preched at Boxforde ex %mp*vi$o.

Dec. 11. S r Rob: Crane & Mr. Churche were chosen Knights for
the Shire.

Dec. 24. Mr. W m Gurdon died at Cambridge.

1 This almanac, which wan prepared for Adam's grandson, as described on p. 40 of
this volume, is mainly taken up with a statement of the successive preachers at
Groton, Edwardston, and Boxford, during the year 1620. Of these preachers, no less
than thirty-three names are given; viz., Chaplin, Sherman, Quirles, Butler, Nicholson,
Birde, Hankin, Gartwright, Bromel, Layfield, M mining, Vertue, Pilgrime, Webster,
Wilmot, Harrison, Carter, Roger*, Watts, Raven, Hawes, Dove, Parson, Sands, Tayler,
Smyth, Salter, Chamber, Sterne, Stansby, Paine, Grice, and Wythriel. A goodly
variety, certainly, for a tingle year I

438

APPENDIX,

Jany 4.
12. Mr.
Feb. 10.
Feb. 1L
Feb. 17.
Feb 19.

From a copy of AUesiree'i Jlmmiacfor IG21, 1
The Thursday sermon ceased at Boxf.

G union fel out of bis eoaebe In Boxlorde Street.
G. Wintcrnoud sen* died*
John Baker of Edw. died,
John Wallis died*

2 Sunnes eeene betweene 3 & 4 in the aAernorjiie.
March L We dined at Goodman Coles*
March 5* M 7 ** Clopton & Elis* her daugb : dined w A us.
March 15* The assises at Burye, where Porter a minister was
condemned Jbr Sodomie.

The Kings Ma*' wrote a most gracious letter to y m Justice of tliis
assise in the behalfe of Mr. Faweather for the punbhinge of his false
accusers.

S*. Ro : Crane came to Groton,

Tlie Q** sessions at Bury. J. W. Mjt.

The Widow Carter died.

April 11.
April 16*
April 25.
April 28.
May 4.
May 24.
June 6.
June 11.
June 21.
July 18.
July 31.
August 16.
August 21.
August 22.
August 28.

Mr. Brag of Stratf. dined w* us*
My son rode to London. bm*bam $cidL
S f Hen : Mildenmv & his Lady dined here,
My son & his wife rode to Shrublande halL
Mr* Barrhelour the preacher dined with us.
My son & his wife went to Stambrige in Essex.
The assises at Burye. J. W. redijL
Sir John Deane sent us venison.

They of Castleins dined here.

Jo : Miller & Susan Rawlin were mar.

Mr. Tindal sent a hanche of venison.

My son Fones was married at London.

Sept. 2. There was seene in y* skie a fearful sight

1 At the foot of the titlepage of this Almanac, Adam pays a tribute to the author in
the following verses : —

" Astrologos inter si quisjam laudc meretur,
AUestre est eerie, velputo nullus erat."
The author himself concludes his " Rules concerning Physicall Elections," at the
close of his prognostications, with the following prescription in Latin (with an English
translation), which may have been supposed to be of more recent origin: —
41 Si tibi defciunt medici, medici tibijianL,
Hctc tria, mens lata, requies, moderate dieta :
Use three Physicians' skill: first, Doctor Quiet;
Next, Doctor Meriman, and Doctor Diet."

^)

ALMANAC8 OF ADAM WINTHROP. 439

Sept 18. My nevieu Carew Mildmay was heer.

Sept 30. M r . Dan : Rogers preached at y*. communion.

Oct 6. Thomas Gale died of y* smale pockes.

Oct 30. W™ Ponde was married to the widow Havens.

Nov. 12. My sonnes nurse, being 76 yeres olde, came to Groton
unto him.

Nov. 15. Brampton Gurdon the third soonne of Mr. Br. Gurdon
died at London.

Nov. 18. Benjamin Bronde the brother of S r John Bronde died of
y* smale pockes.

Nov. 26. Rafe Aggar the creple died.

Nov. 29. John Bluet & Joane Kinge were married.

Dec 5. I dreamed y* Carew Mildmay was dead.

Dec 13. Mr. Fowle charged a chimney sweeper w* stealing of a
silver cup.

Dec 21. Catharine y* first daughter of Mr. W* Clopton was
borne in Linsey.

Many more Memoranda might hare been gleaned both from the Diary and from
the Almanacs of Adam Winthrop. Those have been selected which seemed most cha-
racteristic of the writer and his times, or which appeared to have any thing of local,
personal, or historical interest. Wt could hardly have hoped to satisfy the genuine
antiquary without giving the whole; but this would have occupied too much of our
volume. For the general reader, we have more fear of haying given too many than too
lew.

Jm-shmles.

w)c\ \w ^^hpo 9*

*y£rrvy UniAA™ Vuo'fy/V

* Autograph of Adam Winthrop, the grandfather of Governor Winthrop of Mas-
sachusetts, Master of the Clothworkers' Company in 1561 ; kindly furnished me from the
Records of the Company for the year 1646, by Mr. John Calver, late of Clothworkers*
Hall.

* Autograph of the Governor's father.
8 Autograph of the Governor's mother.

\^**-r Ja Vt k/usM a net btditnt **ift

1 Autograph of Gov. Winthrop of Maj^arhnsettfl nl thirty year* of nge, — the* earOert
higniiture found HfifiOg his paper?, — with hia seal, hearing the family ami*.

3 Autograph of the Governor at forty-one rears of age, with the seal bearing- the
Dove of promise, which he seenu* to have used habitually alter he had resolved to
embark for New England,

» From ati official *igiiature of Governor Winthrop in New England, in 1039,

* Autograph of Margaret (Tynrtal) Winthrop, the Governor's thin) wife, with her
seal, showing the #\wb or wheat-sheaf of the Tyndal anna.

Jfac-simihs.

in.

*

1 The signature of John Winthrop, jun., afterward* Governor of Connecticut, — the
eldest son of the Governor of Massachusetts, — with his seal, bearing the arms of Win-
throp quartered with Forth.

* The autograph of Forth Winthrop, third son of the Governor of Massachusetts,
while a student at Cambridge University, with the seal used by him there.

INDEX.

Admission of John Winthrop, jun., to the
Inner Temple. 203.

Alabaster, Dr. William, 16.

Alabaster, Roger, 16, 47.

Alabaster, Thomas, 47.

Allen, Major John, 15.

Allibone : his Dictionary of Authors, 61.

Almack, Richard, F.S.A., 5, 208.

Alston, Peter, death of, 253.

Altham, Edward, Sheriff of London, 14.

Altham, Sir James, Baron of the Exche-
quer, 14.

Altham, Richard, son of Sir James Al-
tham, 14.

Ames, William, author of Medulla Theo-
logica, 84.

Anecdote respecting the negotiation of
John Winthrop, jun., for the Charter of
Connecticut, 27.

Appleton, John, 232, 819.

Appleton, Mary, wife of Robert Ryece,
319.

Archisden, or Arkesden, Thomas, 229, 231,
256.

Assassination of Sir John* Tyndal by
Bertram, 123, 124.

Assington, village of, 1. Parish o^ 152.
Residence of the Gurdons, 391.

Atkins, Robert, 245.

Autograph manuscript of John Winthrop,
68-122, 145-149, 278, 283, 304.

Babergh, Old Hundred of, 1.

Bacon, Sir Francis, 123, 124.

Bagdat, siege of, 267.

Bancroft, George, sketch of lire and cha-
racter of John Winthrop by, 400.

Bandon, family of, descended from Wil-
liam Winthrop, 16.

Barefoote, Walter. Deputy-Governor of
New York, 194.

Barfoote, Dr. John, 194.

Barnardiston, Thomas, 50.

Barnardiston, Sir Nathaniel, 228, 259, 287,
893, 396.

Barrington, Sir Francis, imprisoned for
resisting the forced loan, 211, 287.

Belknap' 8 American Biography, 6.

Bertram, assassination of Sir John Tyn-
dal by, 128, 124.

Best, Capt, 237, 249, 258. Letter to, from
Lord Hervey, 288.

Beza, Theodore, 319,

Blackheathfield, battle of, 18.

Blomfield. Bishop of London, 170.

Bluet, John, steward of Groton Manor,
291.

Bohemia, King of, 287.

Bowditch, Nathaniel I., suggestion of,
relative to the signification of "Win-
throp," 11.

Bowen, John, letter from, to John Win-
throp. 215.

Boxford, village of, 1, 148.

Boxsted, parish of, 102.

Bradstreet, Governor Simon, 50

Bramston, Sir John, 29.

Branch, Aunt. 213, 258.

Branch, Elizabeth, 213.

Branch, Reynold, 213.

Brent, John, petition in case of, 219.

Browne, Agnes, wife of Henry Browne,
48.

Browne, Anne, daughter of Henry
Browne, 47.

Browne, Henry, 4, 26, 47, 48.

Browne, John, 847.

Browne, Samuel, 847.

Buckingham, Duke of, 184, 285, 288, 240,
265.

Burdj Richard. 20.

Burgis, Priscilla, second wife of Thomas
Fones, 165.

Burgis, Rev. John, D.D., 166.

Burnel, Lord, 14.

Burton, Joane (or Jane), wife of Adam
Winthrop, 14.

Butler, James, 2.

Camden. Britannia of, 2.

Campbell, Lord, Life of Sir Edward Coke

by, 54.
Canterbury, Prerogative Court of, 20.
Carver, Eliza, 268.
Carver, John, 258.
Castleins, seat of the Cloptons, 891.
Caulkins, Miss, the historian, 27.

448

INDEX*

Johnson, Italic, 304, 318, 34«, 31* ".
John&on, Lady Arte Ha, mterviair of, with
John Winthrop, 804.

Ki"£, the French, arrival of, into Italy,
MCt Great expect at ion* as to the re*
suit of hi* actions, 273*

Knight, testimony of, to the influence of
cluiliiiTH of SuiTolk in relating oppres-
sive taxation, 16.

Lambarde, WHfiara, v PMnMilfdii of

Kent written by, 41.

Lam be, William, erects a free school, 43.

Lonham, or Lavenh&m, earliest residence
of the Winthrop*, l& CunimencemeDt
of Parish Register of, 18, Church of,

Lawrences birthplace* of the, 8.

Lfrdy4.ni, death of. 8,

Leitfh, Rev. William, cnmtc of Grot an

CLnrdt. 212.

Lincolnshire, 11.
Livermore, George, 81, 63,
Litsignaa, family of, 3.

Maplesden, Capt, 263,

Manlested, 1'23. Wedding of John Win-
throp at, 140. Proposal of John Win-
throp to meet his wile at, 164* Journey
of Margaret Winthrop to, 400.

Marriage ceremony of John Winthrop
performed by Mr- Culverwell, 69.

Marriage feast of John Winthrop at Great
Slammridge, b&.

Marribone or Marylebone Park owned by
the Winthrnjis, 11.

Marshall, William, Earl of Pembroke, 2.

Mass ach usetts - Bay Com pan v % G e aeral
Court of, 342. Proposition* tvt cXangl
in government of, 342. Their know-
ledge of the importance of the proper
si tie n, 343. The agreement ot, 344.
Appointment of committees by, to pre-
pare arguments for and against net ding
the chief government in New England,
346. Decision of, entered on the re-
cord?, 347. Records of, cited* 343,

Masson, Professor, G, 171 T 230, 8M.

Mother, Cotton, Magnalia of, 6, 12, 68.
Cited respecting early history or tlie
Winthrop*, 11. Funeral discourses of,
12. Tradition of, concerning Phi I pot,
18. Family traditions of the Wiu-
throps perpetuated by, 23. Anecdote
connected with Wint drop's mission to
England for obtaining the Charter of
Connecticut, 27. Story of; that John

Winthrop wo* made justice of the pear*

at eighteen years of age, 223.
Mather, rncreaae, father of Cotton IZmtlti r,

12,
Mather, Richard., grandfather of Cotton

Matter, 12.
Meriton, Kev. George, Dean of York. 33.
Miklmay, Amy, letters from, to Adam

Winthrop, 44, 45, 144. Letters to, Area*

Adorn Winthrop, 43, 40.
Mildmay, Ladv, lilies addressed to, t*v

Adam Wmthrop, 2&,
MEIdmav, Lady Alice, 20, 28.
Mildmay, Sir Henrv, Sheriff ot
Mildmay, Sir Tuomas, 10, S& 37* Pre

at marriage feast of John Winthrop,
Mildmay, William, SO.
Misgivings as to hi* religions condition

entertained by John Winthrop, 70-
M i-»ti 1 1 hensy \ Lord* of, 2. Warm die, 2.
Moore, Jacob R., fl.
Morant: his History of Essex Cotmcy,

12,% 126, 100.
Morton, Nathaniel, extract from New

England's Memorial of, 362,
Mvtt, Mr., 3M.

eaent
felt

N.

Nannton, Sir Eobert, Master of the Court
of Wards, 199, 217. Letter from, to
Countess of Nottingham t 218.

Newark, II.

Nichols; his Historical Anecdotes of the
Highteenth Century, 125,

No rtli u m berlan d, 1 1 .

Nottingham, Countess of, letter to the,
from Sir Robert Naunton, 218.

Nottinghamshire, 11.

N niton, Susannah, 179.

o.

Original draughts of bills by John Win-
throp, to be introduced into Parliament,
221-223.

Overall, Bishop of Norwich, death ȣ ST, *

p.

Painter, Kev. Henry, suitor for the hand

of PrisciLla Fones, 357-361,
Paltroy, Dr., History of New England fcj,

400,
Papers from New England sent home by

John Winthrop, 337.
Parting between John Winthrop and hi*

wife compared with that of Imogen and

Fosthumuw, 37 s.
Peabody, George, the American banker,

admitted to the Company of Clothwork-

ers, 17-
Peach am, Henry, 44.
Pembroke, Earl' of, 2.

INDEX.

449

Sir Samuel, presentation to the
mpanv of Clothworkera of the " lov-
ing cop " by, 17.

Pergssus, Apollonius, Conic Sections o£
253.

Perkins, William, death of, 74.

Petty, Mr., 273.

Philpot, the martyr, 12, 18, 18. Arch-
deacon of Winchester, 13. Burned at
Smithfield. 13.

Pierce, William, master of the "Lion,"
888.

Pitkin, the historian, 27.

Polstead, village of, 1, 391.

Ponder, Roger, Rector of Groton, 19.

Popular History of England, Knight's, 16.

Powell, Capt., 260, 285.

Powis, Lord, 245.

Praed, Winthrop Mackworth, 16.

Prescotts, birthplaces of the, 8.

Proposition for chancre in Government of
the Massachusetts-Bay Company, 842.

Prise, Mr.. 273.

P^e, Sir Walter, 217.

Qnarles, Francis, 1

Q.

R.

Randall, Mr., 285, 286.

Reasons for, and Objections against, un-
dertaking the Plantation to New Eng-
land, 309-317.

Reformation, spirit of, indicated in Adam
Winthrop, 48.

Rhl, Isle of, expedition to, 245.

Richmond, Duke of, 183.

Risby, Elizabeth, 16.

Risby, Robert, 16.

Rogers, Jo., the Doctrine of Faith of, 208.

Romillv, Rev. Joseph, M.A., Registrar of
Cambridge University, 54, 56.

Rowe. Sir Thomas, English ambassador
at Constantinople, 268.

Russell, Lady Rachel, 12.

Russell, Lorn William, the martyr, 12.

Ryece, Robert, letters from^to John Win-
throp, 819-825, 830. Will of. to be
found in Appleton Memorial, 819.
Endeavors to dissuade Winthrop from
the New-England enterprise, 830.

Salem, plantation at, 847.

Salstonstall, Sir Richard. 818, 848. Name
of, stands at head of agreement "to
inhabit and continue " m New Eng-
land, 828.

Sampson, John, 85, 891.

57

Sampson, Robert, 891.

Sands, Rev. Henry, 74, 82, 87, 100, 146,
160, 162, 168. Letter 4rom, to John
Winthrop, 169. Death and burial of,
207.

Savage, James, Appendix of. to Win-
throp's History of New England, 6, 69,
62, 157, 836.

School, Free Grammar, founded by Queen
Elizabeth, 2. By William Lambe, 42.
By Edward VI., 170.

Sempringham, visit from Winthrop and
Downing to Isaac Johnson at, 804.

Sharpe, Agnes, wife of Adam Winthrop,
16.

Sharpe, Robert, 16.

Sherman. Ursula, 861.

Skipworth, Capt, instructions prepared
for, by authority of Duke of Bucking-
ham, 239.

Snellinge, Anna, 81.

Snellinge, John, 81.

Society, American Antiquarian, at Wor-
cester, 21.

Society, Massachusetts Historical, commu-
nication to, by Rev. Joseph Hunter, 28.
Library of, contains twelve of the old
Winthrop Almanacs, 81; a Perambu-
lation of Kent, 41; the Commendation
of Cockes and Cock-fighting, 48; Coop-
er's Dictionary, 180.

Southampton, Earl of. 55.

Speech of Sir John Eliot against tyranni-
cal measures of the Crown, 261.

Spring, Sir William, Knight for the Par-
liament of Suffolk, 223, 287. Letter to,
from John Winthrop, 394.

Spring, Thomas, the rich clothier, con-
nected with the Winthrops, 18.

Stambridge, 69, 62.

Still, Alice, wife of Adam Winthrop (8),

Still, Anne, wife of Bishop Still, death of,

Still, Bishop John, author of Gammer
Gurton's Needle, 24, 47.

Stone, Sir William, 17.

Stow, Chronicle of 17.

Stowe, Survey of, cited respecting the
mayoralty of John Allen, 16.

St. Peter's.birth of Adam (3) Winthrop in
parish or, 18.

Sudbury, town of, 1. Registry of Arch-
deaconry of, 19.

Suffolk, County of, 18, 18, 19.

Surtum Corda, 8.

Taylor, Dr., physician to George n., 11.
Testimony or John Winthrop to character

of Mary Forth. 67.
Testimony of John Winthrop against the

immoderate love of tobacco, 288.
Thifltleworth, parish of, 249, 263.

450

INDEX.

Throckmorton, Jndah, letter from* to Join
Winthrop, jun.. 274,

Tohaeeo, use of, abandoned by John Win-
throp, 2*8.

Trumbull, the historian, 27,

Tj mlal, Arthur, lawyer of Lincoln's Jnn,
124. Letter from, to Lad y TyndaJ, 124.

T^ ndal Deana, 143, Letter from, to John
Winthrop, 144,

Tyndal, Humphrey, D.D., tradition con*
cvming, 12ft.

Tyndal, Lady, 40, Jttl, 162. Letter to,
Uthur Tyndal. 124,

Tyndnl, Margaret, third wife of John
Winthrop, 123, 140, 141, Letter to,
from Adam Winthrop, 127* Letters to,

turn Joka Wtethtm 12&-133, ia5-iat>.
Tynilal, 8»r John, Master in Chancery,

m, m. tao t »»L

Tyiidal, W Wiam, the reformer, 126.

University Register, emission of names in,
G4*

University, New-England Cambridge, en-
dowed by John Harvard, So.

V.

Valence, William de, 2,

V illien, Duke of Buckingham, 123.

WaldingfieM, Great and Little, village!
of, L

Walton, Izaak, biography of Sir Henrv
Wott.ui by, 74,

Ware, Sir James, the Camden of Ireland,
50.

Warren, Judge, 203.

Weston, Roger, Vicar of Wormingforde,
death o£| M*

White, John, 317-

Whli, Sir Pirter, letter to, from John Win-
throp, jun., "1GB.

Wigglesworti, Edward, discourse on the
death of the Hon, John Winthrop by,
23.

Wiltshire, Earl of, 2.

Windmill invented by Joan Winthrop,
jun., for the benefit of New England, II.

Winthorpe Hall, IL

WinUaropa, familv tomb of the; its in-
scription, 4. Traditions respecting, 6\
Accounted regicide*, 6, Early history
of the, 11. Earliest residence of the, 13*

Winthrop, Adam, 4, 11-24,

Winihrop, Adam (2), at seventeen years
of a#e, binds hi ©self as an apprentice
for ten years, 14. la admitted to liberty

of citizenship m London, 15. Mima
Alice Henry* or Kenny, 15, Children
of, 16. Marries a second time, 10.
Children of second marriage, 16. Mat-
ter of Cloth worker*' Company, IT. Im-
prisonment of, in the Fleet, 19. Drain
of, 18. Inscription of t on bron»c~pJat<\
19. Lost will and testament of, 20.

Winthrop, Adam i3), birth of, IS. Father
of M aasachiiKe f 1 1 * Jo v eraor , 25 , 52. Ea*
tracts from Diary of. 04-41, to, frS, §».
02, 63, 1 49, 160. Auditor at Trinity and
St John's Colleger, 32. Shows great
femiJiariry wftft book*: is interested in
schools, 42. Manuscript commonplace
book of, 13. Letters from, to Amy
Milrimnv, 45, 46. Letters to, from Amy
MiMmuy, 44, 4&, 144, Marriev
Still, 47- Marries a second wife, Anne
Brown, 47. Letter to„ from Ann*
throp, 4a. Children << 6& Old Bihk
of, ML Letter from, to Margaret Tyn-
fUl, 12*. Record ol fin.

The last writing remaining at the prt-
sent day, 14^. Lordship of the Manor
of Grotou assigned to John Winthroii
by, 154.

Winthrop, Apes, 20.

Winthrop, Alice., 20.

Winthrop, Anna, daughter of Henry
Browne, 4.

Winthrop, Anna, first wife of Thomas
Fnnea, 1*6.

Winthrop, Anne, wife of Adam i$\ Win-
throp. 47, 4t*. Letter from, to Adam (8)
Winthrop, 49. Letter from, to Fman orl
Downing 234. Letter from, to ,h>hu
Winthrop, 2 Mi, Death of, 2*9.

Winthrop, Benjamin, Governor of Bank
of England, ifl.

Winthrop, Benjamin, jun,, 1(5.

Winthrop, Rev. Benjamin, HJL, IS.

Winthrop, Bridget, wife of Hoger Alaba-
ster, 47,

Winthrop, Deane, birth of t 177, Sick with
small-pox, 240* Dangerous fall of, 17s".

Winthrop, Fita-John, the second Governor
Winthrop of Connecticut, 12.

Winthrop, Forth, 176. i£6. 212, 261, 234.
Letters from, to John Winthrop, jim, (
1B8-191. Letters from, to John Win-
throp, 230, 231, 362, 372. Seeks advice
of his father relative to his marriage,
S02.

Winthrop, Henry, 247. 24&, 250, 2T7, 354.
Letter to, from Jonn Winthrop, 2M.
Marriage of, to Elizabeth Fonet, 9£9*
Contemplates going to New England,
334.

Winthrop, John, 22, 26, Exemplification
of ** the shield and cote of armes epper-
tevning T1 to the name and ancestors of,
21-23,

Winthrop, John, Governor of Maasachn-
setts, 5, 6, «, 8, 12, 16, 31, 62, 67, 170.
Christian Experience of, 55, &6, £9,
GO, 64-78, 141. Marriage of, at the age

INDEX.

451

of seventeen, 58. Marriage ceremony
of, performed by Mr. Culverwell. 69.
Description of bis courtship, wedding,
marriage feast, in Diary of Adam Win-
throp, 59. His early marriage the cause
of his failure to obtain a degree. 69.
Holds his first court in Groton Hall on
attaining his majority, 62. Children of,
62, 63. Death of Mary Forth, his wife,
68. Testimony of, to character of Mary
Forth, 67. Autograph manuscript of,
68-122, 145-149, 278, 288, 804. Mar-
ries a second time, 75. Suffers the loss
of his wife and child, 76. Oppressed
with melancholy by his bereavements,
and contemplates taking orders as a
clergyman, 76. Account of the death-bed
of Thomasine Clopton, 79-88. Marries
a third time, 123. Will of, 161-163.
Surrender of a copyhold estate to, 164,
155. Tribute to the memory of his fa-
ther, 171. Reference to death of his
father, 179. Obtains appointment as
Attorney in Court of Wards, 215. Ori-
ginal draughts of bills to be introduced
into Parliament, 221-223. Parting
advice to John Winthrop, jun., 241.
Contemplates a change of residence,
249. Autograph volume of, 262. Ex-
periences a severe illness, 279. Aban-
dons the use of tobacco, 283. Loses
his office, 301. Decides for New Eng-
land, 805. General Conclusions by,
regarding the Plantation in New
England, 326. Particular Considera-
tions in the case of, 327. One of the
twelve who sign an agreement for em-
barking for New England. 328. Occu-
pied in service of Massachusetts Com-
pany, 333. Chosen Governor of Mas-
sachusetts Company, 840. Name ap-
pears for the first time on the Records
of the Governor and Companv of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England.
847. Estimation in which he is held
by the Massachusetts colonists, 349.
Invites the co-operation of Puritan min-
isters of England, 853. His letters be-
token the pressure of business on his
time, and the heavier pressure of care
and sorrow on his heart, 869. His
movements taken cognizance of by
custom-house officers of Old England,
872. His final departure from the old
homestead, 377. Embarks for New
England, 877. Agreement between
himself and wife, 878. Encounters
tempestuous weather, 892. Styles
George Wither " our modern spirit of
poetry," 896. His fortunes indissoluhly
linked with the New World, 400. His
influence upon the rise and progress of
American institutions second to that of
no other man of his day, 400. Letters
from, to Margaret Tyndal, 128-133,
186-139. To Margaret Winthrop, 169-
168, 193-197, 199, 200, 226, 228, 233,

285, 279, 282, 289, 291, 293, 295-803,
334, 336, 888-340, 855, 857, 864-367,
370, 873-876, 878, 880-386,887-391.
To Thomas Fones, 165. To John Win-
throp, jun., 172-185, 204-2 13,242, 249-
253, 268, 265, 886, 386, 392. To Henry
Winthrop, 285. To Priscilla Fones, 287.
To William Gager, 856. To Sir Wil-
liam Springe, 894. Letters to, from
Rev. Ezekiel Culverwell, 142, 148.
From Deane Tyndal, 144. From Rev.
Henry Sands, * 169. From Margaret
Winthrop, 198, 226-229, 282, 284, 246,
247, 254, 260, 281, 292, 295, 299, 837,
856, 368, 371, 374. From John Win-
throp, jun., 214, 243, 257, 259, 263, 266,
275, 276, 806, 334, 867. From John
Bowen, 215. From Brampton Gurdon,
220. From Forth Winthrop, 230, 231,
862, 872. From Joshua Downing, 286.
237.
Winthrop, John, jun., Governor of Con-
necticut, 5, 20, 81, 67, 170. Sent to
England to obtain the charter of Con-
necticut, 27. Anecdote respecting the
negotiation, 27. Heir of all his father's
talents, prudence, and virtues, 62. Pre-
pared for college at Free Grammar
School at Bury, 170. Student at Tri-
nity College, 170. Engaged in studv of
law, 208. Admitted to the Inner Tem-

file, 203. Enters naval service under
)uke of Buckingham, 238. Account
of the expedition to the Isle of Rh£,
244. Sends a prescription for his fa-
ther's hand, 257. Departs on an Oriental
tour, 263. At Leghorn, 263. Arrives
at Constantinople, 266. Leaves Con-
stantinople for Venice, 268. Detained
in "the purgatory of the Lazaretto,"

270. By remaining at Constantinople,
might have had an opportunity of visit-
ing Jerusalem, 271. Arrives at Venice,

271. Reaches Amsterdam, 275. Arrives
at London: there learns of the death
of his grandfather and of his Uncle
Fones, 276. Approves his father's de-
cision regarding New England, 806,
307. Makes a perfect plot of a fort
near Colchester, 867. Letters from,
to John Winthrop, 214, 248, 257,
259, 263, 266, 275, 276. 806, 884,
867. To Sir Peter Wich, 268. To
John Freeman, 269, 272, 278. To
Emanuel Downing. 271. Letters to,
from John Winthrop, 172-185, 204-213,
242, 249-253, 268, 265, 335, 386, 392.
From Forth Winthrop, 186-191. From
John Freeman, 270. From Judah
Throckmorton, 274.

Winthrop, Luce, 158, 162.
•Winthrop, Lucy, wife of Emanuel Down-
ing, 60, 166, 186.

Winthrop, Margaret, 146. Letters to,
from John Winthrop, 169-168, 193-197,
199, 200, 226, 228, 233, 235, 279, 282,
289, 291, 293, 295-303, 384, 836, 888-

4^2

INDEX.

nio r m. W, atn-asT, 2-0, 373-370,

J! 7 fi T :j gl ^SS, 3^7-30 1- Lettro from , lo

■Mm Winthiup, 10*, 22^-22$, SIS, SS4,
247, 254* 9ae, 281, 292, 2f6, 200,

337 1 £56, flitf, 37 1 T S7 4. Makes a wiu try
Journey to Loudon, 2fc0«
wuithrnp, Mary, wife of R*mt. Samuel

] iii, Id- v ,«&!&, ML,
Winthrop, Major Theodore, dewendnnt

of John WintlirnjK juru, 27. Na&U Of

John Hrent tttadfi lain i Liar l»y, 318.
U iiitlimp, ortiiOgtapby t etymology, ami

signification of tin? name," 10, 1 L T 'l8.
Wmthrop, Samuel, 246. im&, 261.
Wintbrop, Stephen of Dan don. 16.
Wmthrop, Stephen, 145, 27 fc. 281.
Wmthrop, vtitagti or", n.

WtatllfQp, Wait Still. Ctte&ftfttel of

1 1 u • S 1 1 1 * r i & r Co urt of MaimiglmwlU, 12-
Winilirup, William, 2G.
Wither, (todfgo, *iyk«I liv .Join.

throp "our modem spirit of poetf*",**

.. Sir H.-iirv, 74.
Wright, L»r„ 3148.
WvotJt^n', Adam, IT.

FOBDDffi 9fe Cbsri«3 Irt-nrgc, (iarlrr Ki| _•

at Arm*, Ml
Youutf** CtLTMuetw of Massachusetts, 3S6.